CREB element is essential for unfolded protein response (UPR) mediating the Cu-induced changes of hepatic lipogenic metabolism in Chinese yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco).

The present study was conducted to explore the underlying mechanism of unfolded protein response (UPR) mediating the Cu-induced changes of hepatic lipogenic metabolism in a low vertebrate, freshwater teleost yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. To this end, three experiments were conducted. In Exp. 1, we cloned the regions of grp78, perk, ire-1α and atf-6α promoters, and found that multiple cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) binding sites were identified in their promoter regions. Furthermore, these CREB binding sites played crucial role in transcriptional regulation of UPR. In Exp. 2, the involvement of perk, ire-1α and atf-6α in Cu-induced changes of hepatic lipid metabolism was confirmed by specific miRNA. In Exp. 3, the regulatory mechanism of CREB underlying UPR mediating Cu-induced hepatic lipogenic metabolism were investigated. Cu induced UPR via the activation of CREB binding sites in the promoter regions of grp78, perk, ire-1α and atf-6α. In addition, the inhibition of CREB markedly attenuated the Cu-induced up-regulation of hepatic lipogenic metabolism in hepatocytes. This conclusion was further supported by the results from the trial of CREB over-expression. Taken together, the present study indicated that CREB was essential for UPR mediating Cu-induced lipogenic metabolism, supporting a mechanistic link among CREB, UPR and Cu-induced changes of lipid metabolism.