Fig. 8

SRF regulates abundance of Dusp family members. a-c mRNA levels of Dusp1 (a), Dusp5 (b) and Dusp6 (c) in the hippocampus of heterozygous and Srf mutant animals without or with 40 min SE was quantified by qPCR. Dusp1 was upregulated during SE irrespective of genotype (a). Dusp5 (B) and Dusp6 (c) were induced by an SE in control mice but not as strongly upon SRF ablation. d Primary neurons overexpressed an SRF control protein (SRF-VP16ΔMADS) or constitutively-active SRF-VP16. SRF-VP16 upregulated mRNA abundance of both, Dusp5 and Dusp6. e Hippocampal tissue of heterozygous animals without or with SE was subjected to SRF directed ChIP followed by qPCR for target genes indicated. SRF occupied the promoter of the well-established target gene Fos. SRF was also found at Dusp5 and Dusp6 promoters with comparable intensity to Fos. SRF occupancy was slightly reduced upon SE induction at all promoters. Only low SRF levels were found at an Egr1 gene position not harboring SRF binding sites (Egr1 off target). As further control, unspecific IgG antibodies were employed resulting only in low qPCR signals. Data are represented as mean ± SD. Individual animals are labeled with grey circles