Identification of an AP-1 transcription factor binding site within the human cholecystokinin (CCK) promoter

Neuropeptide gene expression, i.e. proenkephalin A, may be modulated by activating protein (AP-1) transcription factor complexes which associate with specific DNA sequence motifs, known as the AP-1 binding sites. Gel mobility shift assays revealed that nuclear extracts prepared from a human neuroblastoma cell-line, SK-N-MC, bind to the 5'-CTGCGTCAGCG-3' motif, present within the human cholecystokinin (CCK) promoter. In contrast, the mutated 5'-CTGCAACAGCG-3' motif did not bind any specific protein complex. In vitro run-off transcription and Western blot analysis revealed the expression of the protooncogenes Fos and Jun. This suggests that Fos/Jun homo- or heterodimeric complexes may interact with the 5'-CTGCGTCAGCG-3' motif, present within the human CCK promoter.