Inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) in the nervous system--a transcriptional regulator of neuronal plasticity and programmed cell death

J Neurochem. 2003 Dec;87(6):1313-20. doi: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2003.02116.x.

Abstract

The acronym ICER (inducible cAMP early repressor) refers to a group of four proteins produced from the CREM/ICER gene due to use of an internal promoter (P2) placed in an intron of the CREM (cAMP responsive element modulator) gene. The ICER proteins contain DNA binding/leucine zipper domains that make them endogenous inhibitors of transcription driven by CREB (cAMP responsive element binding protein) and its cognates, CREM and ATF-1 (activating transcription factor-1). ICER expression is inducible in the brain and in neuronal culture by a variety of stimuli. As a CREB antagonist, ICER appears to be of pivotal importance in neuronal plasticity and programmed cell death.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Gene Expression
  • Nervous System Physiological Phenomena
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
  • Repressor Proteins*
  • Transcription, Genetic / physiology

Substances

  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator