Activating transcription factor-1 can mediate Ca(2+)- and cAMP-inducible transcriptional activation.

Increased intracellular cAMP and Ca2+ levels can activate transcription of a number of eukaryotic genes through a common promoter element, the cAMP/Ca2+ response element. This element is the binding site for activating transcription factor (ATF)/CREB proteins, an extensive transcription factor family. Here we report that one member of this family, ATF-1, can mediate both Ca2+ and cAMP transcriptional responses, but that the responses to the two pathways differ in magnitude. In contrast, another family member, CREB, has been shown to mediate Ca2+ and cAMP responses to similar levels. Taken together, these results suggest a mechanism that allows cells to integrate and differentiate gene regulation by cAMP and Ca2+.