[DREAM: a multifunctional transcriptional regulator].

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• DREAM, Calsenilin, and KChIP3 are neuronal calcium sensor (NCS) superfamily members.
• These proteins are encoded by the same gene locus but have distinct subcellular locations.
• DREAM regulates gene transcription by interacting with DNA elements and transcription factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the discovery, structure, and function of DREAM.
• To focus on DREAM's nuclear translocation and gene transcription regulation mechanisms.
• To highlight DREAM's involvement in neurological processes and diseases.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing studies on DREAM.
• Analysis of DREAM's interaction with DNA and transcription factors.
• Examination of DREAM's role in calcium signaling and gene regulation.

Main Results:

• DREAM binds to downstream regulatory elements (DRE) to suppress gene transcription.
• Calcium binding to DREAM's EF-hand motifs disrupts DRE interaction.
• DREAM interacts with CREB, CBP, and CREM to modulate gene expression.
• DREAM is primarily expressed in the central nervous system, particularly the cerebellum.

Conclusions:

• DREAM is a key regulator of gene transcription influenced by intracellular calcium levels.
• DREAM's functions extend to pain sensitivity, learning, memory, and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Understanding DREAM's mechanisms is crucial for potential therapeutic interventions in neurological disorders.