ATF3 enhances c-Jun-mediated neurite sprouting

作者：Pearson AG; Gray CW; Pearson JF; Greenwood JA; During MJ; Dragunow M^*

来源：Molecular Brain Research, 2003, 120(1): 38-45.

DOI：10.1016/j.molbrainres.2003.09.014

• c-jun
• ATF3
• axonal regeneration
• neurite
• PC12
• neuro-2a

The AP-1 transcription factor c-Jun is induced in axotomized neurons of the peripheral and central nervous systems, and in both cases upregulation of c-Jun expression has been correlated with axonal regeneration. More recently there has been interest in the c-Jun-related bZIP transcription factor, ATF3, and its function in neurons. ATF3 is also induced in nerve cells in response to axotomy and there is a correlation between increased ATF3 expression and upregulation of c-Jun in surviving neurons. Moreover, c-Jun is able to induce expression of ATF3. We investigated the effect of co-expressing c-Jun and ATF3 in two neuronal-like cell lines to model transcriptional events occurring in axotomized neurons undergoing regeneration. We show that expression of ATF3 with c-Jun significantly enhances c-Jun-mediated neurite sprouting, and that this phenotype is most likely mediated by a physical association of these two transcription factors. Our results suggest that a program of axonal regeneration is initiated when both c-Jun and ATF3 are upregulated in neurons in response to axotomy.

• 出版日期2003-12-12