Transcription of the protein kinase C-delta gene is activated by JNK through c-Jun and ATF2 in response to the anticancer agent doxorubicin

Expression of protein kinase C-delta (PKC delta) is up-regulated by apoptosis-inducing stimuli. However, very little is known about the signaling pathways that control PKC delta gene transcription. In the present study, we demonstrate that JNK stimulates PKC delta gene expression via c-Jun and ATF2 in response to the anticancer agent doxorubicin (DXR) in mouse lymphocytic leukemia L1210 cells. Luciferase reporter assays showed that DXR-induced activation of the PKC delta promoter was enhanced by ectopic expression of JNK1, c-Jun, or ATF2, whereas it was strongly reduced by expression of dominant negative JNK1 or by treatment with the JNK inhibitor SP600125. Furthermore, point mutations in the core sequence of the c-Jun/ATF2 binding site suppressed DXR-induced activation of the PKC delta promoter. Our results suggest an additional role for a JNK signaling cascade in DXR-induced PKC delta gene expression.

Menin represses JunD transcriptional activity in protein kinase Ctheta-mediated Nur77 expression

TCR signaling leading to thymocyte apoptosis is mediated through the expression of the Nur77 family of orphan nuclear receptors. It has been shown that the Nur77 promoter is activated by at least two signaling pathways, one mediated by calcium and the other by protein kinase C (PKC). MEF2D has been known to regulate Nur77 expression in a calcium- dependent manner. The mechanism by which calcium regulates MEF2D is through dissociation of calcium-sensitive MEF2 corepressors (Cabin1/ HDACs, HDAC4/5) and the association with calcineurin-activated transcription factor NF-AT and the coactivator p300. However, little is known about how PKC activates the Nur77 promoter. Herein, we report that PKC theta targets AP-1 like response element in the Nur77 promoter where JunD constitutively binds. PKC theta triggers mitogen-activated protein kinase- inediated phosphorylation of JunD, and increases transcriptional activity of JunD, cooperatively with p300. Menin is identified as the transcriptional corepressor for JunD via recruitment of mSin3-istone deacetylases. In fact, Menin represses PKC theta/ p300-mediated transcriptional activity of JunD in T cell. Its dynamic regulation of histone modifiers with JunD is responsible for PKCq-synergistic effect on Nur77 expression in T cell.