Developmental expression of CREB1 and NFATC2 in pig embryos

Background The CREB1 gene encodes the cAMP response element binding protein 1 (CREB1), a leucine zipper transcription factor that regulates cellular gene expression in response to elevated levels of intracellular cAMP. When activated by phosphorylation, CREB1 binds to the cAMP response element (CRE) of the promoters of its target genes. CREB1 is an essential component in many physiological processes, and its function is correlated to neurodevelopment, plasticity and cell survival, and learning and memory. The NFATC2 gene codes for the nuclear factor of activated T-cells 2 protein. The NFATC2 protein is a DNA-binding protein that functions as an inducer of gene transcription during immune response. Methods and results The aim of the present study was to examine the developmental expression of porcine CREB1 and NFACT2 transcripts. The expression of CREB1 and NFACT2 mRNA was examined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. For the CREB1 transcript, we found significant reduction in transcript levels in the brain stem and basal ganglia during porcine embryo development, determined from day 60 to day 115 of gestation. In contrast, a significant increase in CREB1 mRNA was detected in the lungs during embryo development. No significant changes in the NFATC2 transcript were detected in porcine brain tissue during embryo development. Conclusions Differential CREB1 mRNA expression was found in pig brain tissues during embryo development.