Characterize CREB target genes in different tissue types

The CREB family of transcription factors stimulates cellular gene expression following phosphorylation at a conserved serine (Ser133 in CREB1) in response to cAMP and other extracellular signals. In order to characterize CREB target genes in various tissues, we give a cAMP agonist, forskolin (FSK), to cell lines or primary cultures and monitor the gene expression. To eliminate CREB-independent effects of FSK on cellular gene expression, we employed a dominant negative form of CREB called A-CREB, which dimerizes selectively with and blocks the DNA binding activity of CREB but not other bZIP family members. Therefore, genes that are induced by cAMP and the induction was blocked by A-CREB treatment likely represents CREB target genes.

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Zhang X, Odom DT, Koo SH, Conkright MD, Canettieri G, Best J, Chen H, Jenner R, Herbolsheimer E, Jacobsen E, Kadam S, Ecker JR, Emerson B, Hogenesch JB, Unterman T, Young RA, Montminy M