The cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) transcription factor regulates furin expression during human trophoblast syncytialization

•Furin mRNA was remarkably increased during human trophoblast cell fusion.•Furin transcription is activated by CREB-dependent stimulation of the P1 promoter.•Two critical cAMP-responsive elements (CREs) in the P1 promoter were identified.•CREB siRNA attenuated endogenous furin expression and cell fusion in BeWo cells.

IntroductionThe multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast is formed and maintained by cytotrophoblast cell fusion and serves multiple functions to ensure a successful pregnancy. We have previously reported that the proprotein convertase furin is required for trophoblast syncytialization by processing type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R).MethodsUtilizing trophoblast cell fusion models including induced fusion of choriocarcinoma BeWo cells and spontaneous fusion of primary cultured term cytotrophoblast cells, the expression of furin was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence. The key transcription factor regulating the FUR gene promoter and critical responsive elements were identified by luciferase reporter assays, truncated mutants analysis, site-directed mutagenesis and ChIP.ResultsWe demonstrated that the levels of FUR mRNA were significantly stimulated by cAMP/PKA signaling pathway during spontaneous fusion of cytotrophoblast cells and forskolin-induced fusion of BeWo cells. cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) was proven to be the key transcription factor which regulated the FUR P1 promoter during forskolin-induced BeWo cell fusion, and two critical cAMP-responsive elements (CREs) in the P1 promoter were further identified. Finally, we showed that CREB mediated endogenous furin activation and that CREB siRNA attenuated forskolin-induced furin expression and cell fusion in BeWo cells.DiscussionThis provides the first evidence of the upstream regulator of furin during trophoblast cell fusion.ConclusionsThe above results suggest that the FUR transcription is activated by CREB-dependent stimulation of the FUR P1 promoter during human trophoblast syncytialization.