B. Mellstrom et al., TRANSCRIPTIONAL RESPONSE TO CAMP IN BRAIN - SPECIFIC DISTRIBUTION ANDINDUCTION OF CREM ANTAGONISTS, Neuron, 10(4), 1993, pp. 655-665
Changes in cAMP levels are often associated with the modulation of neu
ronal function. The CREM gene encodes both antagonists and activators
of the cAMP-dependent transcriptional response by alternative splicing
. CREM transcripts in rat brain show a characteristic pattern of expre
ssion, being specific for the inner layer of the cerebral cortex, ante
rior thalamus, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. Strikingly, the CREM tra
nscripts correspond to the antagonist isoforms in these areas, suggest
ing a down-regulatory role for CREM in brain; in contrast, the express
ion of CREMtau and CREB activators is more diffuse and generalized. In
the supraoptic nucleus, CREM expression is induced after osmotic stim
ulus. Importantly, this demonstrates physiological inducibility of CRE
M, which is novel within the CRE/ATF family.