Multiple splice patterns of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein mRNA in the central nervous system of the rat

The alternative splicing pattern of cyclic AMP response element-binding pro tein (CREB) in the central nervous system (CNS) of the rat has been investi gated by an exon-flanking polymerase chain reaction (PCR) strategy. A serie s of RT-PCR studies with primer pairs flanking all possible alternative spl icing sites (corresponding to a genomic region with at least one full exon and two Ranking introns) has revealed multiple splice patterns in nine regi ons of the rat CNS. These include some novel transcripts that lock the phos phorylation site and a segment of the leucine zipper region which is crucia l for dimerization and DNA binding. Some isoforms previously reported as te stis-specific were also detected in the rat CNS. The findings from this stu dy, which include differential splicing patterns among CNS regions, suggest a complex expression and functional regulation of CREB in the CNS. (C) 199 9 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.