TOX3 regulates calcium-dependent transcription in neurons

We report the cloning and characterization of TOX3, a high mobility group box protein involved in mediating calcium-dependent transcription. TOX3 was identified as a calcium-dependent transactivator using the Transactivator Trap screen. We find that TOX3 interacts with both cAMP response element (CRE)-binding protein (CREB) and CREB-binding protein (CBP), and knockdown of the endogenous TOX3 by RNAi leads to significant reduction of calcium-induced c-fos expression and complete inhibition of calcium activation of the c-fos promoter. The effects of TOX3 on calcium-dependent transcription require the CRE elements. These observations identify TOX3 as an important regulator of calcium-dependent transcription and suggest that TOX3 exerts its effect on CRE-mediated transcription via its association with the CREB-CBP complex.