MODULATION OF GENE-EXPRESSION BY CALRETICULIN BINDING TO THE GLUCOCORTICOID RECEPTOR

CALRETICULIN is a multifunctional protein that acts as a major Ca2+-binding (storage) protein in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum1. It is also found in the nucleus2, suggesting that it may have a role in transcription regulation. Calreticulin has been reported to bind to the synthetic peptide KLGFFKR3, which is almost identical to an amino-acid sequence in the DNA-binding domain of the superfamily of nuclear receptors4-6. Could calreticulin interact with the DNA-binding domain of these receptors and affect their function? Here we report that the amino terminus of calreticulin interacts with the DNA-binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor and prevents the receptor from binding to its specific glucocorticoid response element. Overexpression of calreticulin in mouse L fibroblasts inhibits glucocorticoid-response-mediated transcriptional activation of a glucocorticoid-sensitive reporter gene and of the endogenous, glucocorticoid-sensitive gene encoding cytochrome P450. Together these results indicate that calreticulin may be important in gene transcription, regulating the glucocorticoid receptor and perhaps other members of the superfamily of nuclear receptors.