Identification of DNA binding proteins which may regulate phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene.

ABSTRACT

Transcription of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene is induced in response to cyclic AMP (cAMP) or cAMP elevating hormones. The role of transcription factors (DNA binding proteins) in the induction process has been studied. Two nuclear proteins, apparent mol. wt of 53 and 30 kDa, have been shown to bind to the 5'-flanking DNA of PEPCK gene which contains hormonal responsive elements as well as TATA box. DNA binding activity of 53 kDa protein increases by 3.5 fold in cells treated with 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP (8-CPT-cAMP). The increased binding activity may be due to the phosphorylation of this protein by an activated cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cA kinase) in treated cells. Based on this observation, a hypothesis that 53 kDa may be specific transcription factor for PEPCK and therefore, play a major role in the regulation of this gene is proposed.