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Updated: May 12, 2026
11:02
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay for Tissue-specific Genes using Early-stage Mouse Embryos
Published on: April 29, 2011
cAMP-responsive element binding protein: a vital link in embryonic hormonal adaptation
Maria Schindler1, Sünje Fischer, René Thieme
1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Faculty of Medicine, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, D-06097 Halle (Saale), Germany. maria.schindler@medizin.uni-halle.de
Endocrinology
|April 10, 2013
Summary
The cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB) and activating transcription factors (ATFs) network is crucial for early embryo development and survival. This study reveals their cell-specific roles and regulation by insulin/IGF signaling in rabbits.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Endocrinology
Background:
- The cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB) and activating transcription factors (ATFs) are key regulators in cellular processes, including survival and metabolism.
- These transcription factors are downstream effectors of insulin and IGF signaling, influencing embryonic development.
- Adiponectin, a target gene of CREB, plays a synergistic role with insulin, impacting metabolic regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role and regulation of the CREB-ATF-adiponectin network in rabbit preimplantation development.
- To elucidate the cell lineage-specific expression and localization of CREB and ATFs during embryogenesis.
- To examine the impact of insulin/IGF-I stimulation and diabetic conditions on this network.
Main Methods:
- In vivo and in vitro studies using rabbit preimplantation embryos.
- Quantitative analysis of gene and protein expression (CREB, ATFs, adiponectin, adipoRs) via transcriptomics and proteomics.
- Cellular localization studies of CREB using immunofluorescence.
- Assessment of embryonic development under normal and diabetic conditions.
Main Results:
- CREB and ATF1, ATF3, ATF4 expression increased during gastrulation, predominantly in the embryoblast (EB).
- Insulin/IGF-I stimulation in vitro decreased CREB and ATF1 transcripts but increased CREB phosphorylation, leading to reduced adiponectin and adipoR1 expression.
- In vivo diabetic conditions altered embryonic CREB localization (nucleus to cytosol in trophoblast) and increased adiponectin expression in trophoblast (TB) cells, while EB adiponectin became undetectable.
Conclusions:
- The CREB/ATF network is essential for embryo-maternal communication before implantation, acting as an insulin/IGF sensor in a cell-specific manner.
- Embryonic CREB/ATFs mediate adiponectin expression to compensate for insulin deficiency, potentially maintaining glucose uptake in blastocysts from diabetic mothers.
- This network's cell lineage-specific regulation highlights its critical role in adapting embryonic development to maternal metabolic status.
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