p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase is the central regulator of cyclic AMP-dependent transcription of the brown fat uncoupling protein 1 gene.
Published
Journal Article
It is well established that catecholamine-stimulated thermogenesis in brown fat requires beta-adrenergic elevations in cyclic AMP (cAMP) to increase expression of the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) gene. However, little is known about the downstream components of the signaling cascade or the relevant transcription factor targets thereof. Here we demonstrate that cAMP- and protein kinase A-dependent activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in brown adipocytes is an indispensable step in the transcription of the UCP1 gene in mice. By phosphorylating activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) coativator 1alpha (PGC-1alpha), members of two distinct nuclear factor families, p38 MAPK controls the expression of the UCP1 gene through their respective interactions with a cAMP response element and a PPAR response element that both reside within a critical enhancer motif of the UCP1 gene. Activation of ATF-2 by p38 MAPK additionally serves as the cAMP sensor that increases expression of the PGC-1alpha gene itself in brown adipose tissue. In conclusion, our findings illustrate that by orchestrating the activity of multiple transcription factors, p38 MAPK is a central mediator of the cAMP signaling mechanism of brown fat that promotes thermogenesis.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Cao, W; Daniel, KW; Robidoux, J; Puigserver, P; Medvedev, AV; Bai, X; Floering, LM; Spiegelman, BM; Collins, S
Published Date
- April 2004
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 24 / 7
Start / End Page
- 3057 - 3067
PubMed ID
- 15024092
Pubmed Central ID
- 15024092
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0270-7306
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1128/mcb.24.7.3057-3067.2004
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States