Erk-Creb pathway suppresses glutathione-S-transferase pi expression under basal and oxidative stress conditions in zebrafish embryos

• Erk supresses basal Gst Pi expression in zebrafish embryos.
• Erk does not change the tBHQ-induced gstp mRNA in zebrafish embryos.
• Increase in Erk activity suppresses gstp mRNA in the PMA-exposed zebrafish embryos.
• Creb acts as a proximal transmitter of the Erk effect on gstp mRNA in zebrafish embryos.

Transcriptional activation of phase II enzymes including glutathione-S-transferase pi class (Gst Pi) is important for redox regulation and defense from xenobiotics. The role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) and protein kinase B (Akt) in regulation of Gst Pi expression has been described using adult mammalian cells. Whether these signaling pathways contribute to Gst Pi expression during embryogenesis is unknown. Using zebrafish embryo model, we provide novel evidence that Erk signaling acts as a specific suppressor of gstp1–2 mRNA during early embryogenesis. Addition of Erk inhibitor U0126 enhanced gstp1–2 mRNA expression during transition from blastula to the segmentation stage and from pharyngula until the hatching stage. Basal Erk activity did not affect gstp1–2 expression in tert-butylhydroquinone-exposed embryos. Addition of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate increased Erk activity leading to suppression of gstp1–2 mRNA. Activation of cAMP/Creb pathway by forskolin prevented gstp1–2 expression, whereas U0126 suppressed Creb phosphorylation, thus setting up Creb as a proximal transmitter of Erk inhibitory effect. Collectively, these findings suggest that Erk-Creb pathway exerts suppressive effect on gstp1–2 mRNA in a narrow developmental window. This study also provides a novel link between Erk and gstp1–2 expression, setting apart a possible differential regulation of gstp1–2 in adult and embryonic cells.

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