Characterization of single-stranded cAMP response element binding protein (ssCRE-BP) from mouse cerebellum.

It has been speculated that opiate tolerance and dependence may occur at the level of gene expression. Our previous studies have shown that the binding activity of a nuclear factor (ssCRE-BP) to single-stranded CRE of somatostatin gene is altered by long-term treatment with morphine in the mouse cerebellum. ssCRE-BP was purified from the mouse cerebellum by a combination of chromatography on DNA affinity agarose and Mono Q HR. The native protein exhibited a molecular size of 110-150 kDa by gel filtration, and two polypeptides of about 35-40 kDa were observed on SDS-PAGE. The cloning and sequencing of a cDNA encoding ssCRE-BP showed that the protein possesses a glycine-rich domain and a glutamine-rich domain in the amino terminus and the carboxyl terminus, respectively. To investigate the function of ssCRE-BP in the brain, recombinant glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins containing ssCRE-BP were expressed in bacterial systems. Rabbit anti-ssCRE-BP antibodies were raised against a GST-ssCRE-BP fusion protein. Using the antibodies in western blot analysis, a polypeptide of approximately 66 kDa was detected in the brain. These findings indicate that ssCRE-BP is involved in opiate tolerance and dependence.