Prostanoid EP1 receptors mediate up-regulation of the orphan nuclear receptor Nurr1 by cAMP-independent activation of protein kinase A, CREB and NF-κB

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulation of the G protein-coupled prostanoid EP1 receptor was found to up-regulate the expression of Nur-related factor 1 (Nurr1) (NR4A2), a transcription factor in the NR4A subfamily of nuclear receptors. The present studies characterize the molecular mechanism of this up-regulation. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The expression of Nurr1 was examined by immunoblot analysis, the polymerase chain reaction and reporter gene assays in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells stably expressing the recombinant EP1 receptor and in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells expressing endogenous EP1 receptors. Signalling pathway inhibitors were used to examine the roles of Rho, PKA, the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and NF-?B on the PGE2 stimulated up-regulation of Nurr1. CREB and NF-?B signalling were also examined by immunoblot analysis and reporter gene assays. KEY RESULTS The EP1 receptor mediated up-regulation of Nurr1 was blocked with inhibitors of Rho, PKA, NF-?B and CREB; but PGE2 failed to significantly stimulate intracellular cAMP formation. PGE2 stimulation of the EP1 receptor induced the phosphorylation and activation of CREB and NF-?B, which could be blocked by inhibition of PKA. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS PGE2 stimulation of the human EP1 receptor up-regulates the expression of Nurr1 by a mechanism involving the sequential activation of the Rho, PKA, CREB and NF-?B signalling pathways. EP1 receptors are implicated in tumorigenesis and the up-regulation of Nurr1 may underlie the anti-apoptotic effects of PGE2.