Activation of Jun/AP-1 by protein kinase A

Abstract

The product of the c-jun proto-oncogene is the major component of the 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-inducible transcription factor AP-1. Jun binds to the TPA-responsive elements (TREs) present in a large number of TPA-inducible genes, thereby regulating their expression in response to activation of protein kinase C. Previously we have shown that Jun/AP-1 can also activate cAMP-responsive elements (CREs), indicating the existence of cross-talk in signal transduction at the transcriptional level. Here we show that Jun/AP-1 is activated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). In transient transfection experiments, TRE activation by Jun is strongly enhanced by co-transfection of the catalytic subunit of PKA or forskolin treatment, although not in all cell types studied. Jun activity can be significantly inhibited by co-transfection of the regulatory subunit of PKA. Furthermore, we show a cell-specific increase in AP-1 binding in response to forskolin treatment. However, since direct phosphorylation of Jun by PKA does not occur, we suggest an indirect activation mechanism.