Premium
Excitation–transcription coupling in smooth muscle
Author(s) -
Barlow Christy A.,
Rose Patricia,
PulverKaste Renee A.,
Lounsbury Karen M.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2005.098426
Subject(s) - nfat , creb , enhancer , transcription factor , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , transcription (linguistics) , promoter , regulation of gene expression , gene , gene expression , response element , genetics , linguistics , philosophy
Calcium (Ca 2 + ) signals affect virtually every biological process, including both contraction and gene transcription in smooth muscle. Ca 2 + ‐regulated gene transcription is known to be important for both physiological and pathological responses in smooth muscle. The aim of this review is to discuss the current understanding of gene transcription regulated by excitation through Ca 2 + signalling using a comparison of the two most characterized Ca 2 + ‐regulated transcription factors in smooth muscle, Ca 2 + –cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) and nuclear factor of activated T‐cells (NFAT). Recent studies have shown commonalities and differences in the regulation of CREB and NFAT through both voltage‐ and non‐voltage‐gated Ca 2 + channels that lead to expression of smooth muscle cell specific differentiation markers as well as markers of proliferation. New insights into the regulation of specific genes through companion elements on the promoters of Ca 2 + ‐regulated genes have led to new models for transcriptional regulation by Ca 2 + that are defined both by the source and duration of the Ca 2 + signal and the composition of enhancer elements found within the regulatory regions of specific genes. Thus the combination of signalling pathways elicited by particular Ca 2 + signals affect selective promoter elements that are key to the ultimate pattern of gene transcription.