In various physiological contexts, Nr4a genes are transcribed in response to external stimuli
as part of an immediate early response that initiates a cascade of gene expression ultimately
leading to distinct physiological outcomes in each of these contexts. The signaling pathway
that initiates Nr4a gene expression in most of these contexts consists of elevated
intracellular cAMP activating PKA, which in turn leads to phosphorylation of CREB and new
gene synthesis. This cAMP–PKA–CREB pathway is a central molecular pathway in the …