Regulation of the MEF2 family of transcription factors by p38

Citation
M. Zhao et al., Regulation of the MEF2 family of transcription factors by p38, MOL CELL B, 19(1), 1999, pp. 21-30
Citations number
49
Categorie Soggetti
Molecular Biology & Genetics
Journal title
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY
ISSN journal
02707306 → ACNP
Volume
19
Issue
1
Year of publication
1999
Pages
21 - 30
Database
ISI
SICI code
0270-7306(199901)19:1<21:ROTMFO>2.0.ZU;2-8
Abstract
Members of the MEF2 family of transcription factors bind as homo- and heter odimers to the MEF2 site found in the promoter regions of numerous muscle-s pecific, growth- or stress-induced genes. We showed previously that the tra nsactivation activity of MEF2C is stimulated by p38 mitogen-activated prote in (MAP) kinase. In this study, we examined the potential role of the p38 M AP kinase pathway in regulating the other MEF2 family members. We found tha t MEF2A, but not MEF2B or MEF2D, is a substrate for p38. Among the four p38 group members, p38 is the most potent kinase for MEF2A. Threonines 312 and 319 within the transcription activation domain of MEF2A are the regulatory sites phosphorylated by p38. Phosphorylation of MEF2A in a MEF2A-MEF2D het erodimer enhances MEF2-dependent gene expression. These results demonstrate that the MAP kinase signaling pathway can discriminate between different M EF2 isoforms and can regulate MEF2-dependent genes through posttranslationa l activation of preexisting MEF2 protein.