High-level activation of cyclic AMP signaling attenuates bone morphogenetic protein 2-induced sympathoadrenal lineage development and promotes melanogenesis in neural crest cultures
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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Dual Effects of Melanoma Cell-derived Factors on Bone Marrow Adipocytes Differentiation
Published on: August 23, 2018
1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, 625 Harrison Street, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2026, USA.
Abstract:
The intensity of cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling is a differential instructive signal in neural crest (NC) cell specification. By an unknown mechanism, sympathoadrenal lineage specification is suppressed by high-level activation of cAMP signaling. In NC cultures, high-level activation of cAMP signaling mediates protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent Rap1-B-Raf-ERK1/2 activation, leading to cytoplasmic accumulation of phospho-Smad1, thus terminating bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2)-induced sympathoadrenal cell development. Concurrently, cAMP signaling induces transcription of the melanocyte-determining transcription factor Mitf and melanogenesis. dnACREB and E1A inhibit Mitf expression and melanogenesis, supporting the notion that CREB activation is necessary for melanogenesis. However, constitutively active CREB(DIEDML) without PKA activation is insufficient for Mitf expression and melanogenesis, indicating PKA regulates additional aspects of Mitf transcription. Thus, high-level activation of cAMP signaling plays a dual role in NC cell differentiation: attenuation of BMP2-induced sympathoadrenal cell development and induction of melanogenesis. We conclude the intensity of activation of signal transduction cascades determines cell lineage segregation mechanisms.
Insights
High levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling suppress neural crest sympathoadrenal development while promoting melanogenesis. This dual role highlights how signal intensity dictates cell fate decisions.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Signaling
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Neural crest (NC) cell specification relies on cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling intensity.
- High-level cAMP signaling suppresses sympathoadrenal lineage development through an unknown mechanism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which high-level cAMP signaling influences neural crest cell differentiation.
- To investigate the dual role of cAMP signaling in inhibiting sympathoadrenal development and inducing melanogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized neural crest cell cultures.
- Investigated protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent signaling pathways including Rap1-B-Raf-ERK1/2.
- Analyzed the impact on phospho-Smad1 accumulation and Mitf transcription.
Main Results:
- High-level cAMP activates PKA, leading to Rap1-B-Raf-ERK1/2 signaling and cytoplasmic phospho-Smad1 accumulation.
- This pathway terminates bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2)-induced sympathoadrenal cell development.
- cAMP signaling concurrently induces Mitf transcription and melanogenesis, dependent on CREB activation and PKA.
Conclusions:
- High-level cAMP signaling plays a dual role in neural crest differentiation: inhibiting BMP2-induced sympathoadrenal development and promoting melanogenesis.
- The intensity of signal transduction cascade activation is a critical determinant of cell lineage segregation.
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