Opposing actions of Fos and Jun on transcription of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) gene. Dominant negative regulation by Fos.

Jun homodimers and Fos/Jun heterodimers bind to the gene for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) (EC 4.1.1.32) (PEPCK) at three sites within the first 350 base pairs of the promoter. These include CRE-1 (-82 to -90), and P3(II) and P4 (-252 to -258 and -268 to -285, respectively). Over-expression of Jun in HepG2 cells resulted in a 10-15-fold increase in the level of transcription of a chimeric PEPCK (-490 to +73)-CAT gene, while expression of Fos decreased transcription and blocked the induction of transcription from the PEPCK promoter by Jun. The action of Fos and Jun on PEPCK gene transcription involved each of the Fos/Jun-binding sites and was modulated by additional transcriptional regulatory elements within the PEPCK promoter. The ability of Fos to inhibit PEPCK transcription was dependent upon P3(I), a region of the promoter which does not bind Fos/Jun heterodimers, but does bind members of the C/EBP family of transcription factors. Stimulation of PEPCK transcription by 8-Br-cAMP or by overexpression of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A was inhibited by Fos expression. The inhibitory effects of phorbol esters and protein kinase C on PEPCK gene expression may be mediated through the action of Fos and Jun.