CCAAT/Enhancer-binding Protein (C/EBP) β Is Acetylated at Multiple Lysines ACETYLATION OF C/EBPβ AT LYSINE 39 MODULATES ITS ABILITY TO ACTIVATE TRANSCRIPTION

Abstract Transcription factor function can be modulated by post-translational modifications. Because the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) β associates with the nuclear coactivator p300, which contains acetyltransferase activity, acetylation of C/EBPβ was examined to understand its regulation and function. C/EBPβ is acetylated by acetyltransferases p300 and p300/CREB-binding protein associated factor. Endogenous C/EBPβ in 3T3-F442A preadipocytes is also recognized by an acetyl-lysine-specific antibody. Analysis of truncations of C/EBPβ and peptides based on C/EBPβ sequences identified multiple lysines within C/EBPβ that can be acetylated. Among these, a novel acetylation site at lysine 39 of C/EBPβ was identified. Mutation of Lys-39 to arginine or alanine impairs its acetylation and the ability of C/EBPβ to activate transcription at the promoters for C/EBPα and c-fos. Different C/EBPβ-responsive promoters require different patterns of acetylated lysines in C/EBPβ for transcription activation. Furthermore, C/EBPβ acetylation was increased by growth hormone, and mutation of Lys-39 impaired growth hormone-stimulated c-fos promoter activation. These data suggest that acetylation of Lys-39 of C/EBPβ, alone or in combination with acetylation at other lysines, may play a role in C/EBPβ-mediated transcriptional activation.