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10 sources retrieved · Most recent: April 2026 · Index updated 14 days ago
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CREM
cAMP responsive element modulator
Chromosome 10 · 10p11.21
NCBI Gene: 1390Ensembl: ENSG00000095794.21HGNC: HGNC:2352UniProt: E9PAR2
147PubMed Papers
20Diseases
0Drugs
0Pathogenic Variants
FUNCTIONAL ROLE
Transcription Factor
DATA QUALITY
✓ Experimental GO Evidence✓ Swiss-Prot Reviewed
RNA polymerase II transcription regulatory region sequence-specific DNA bindingDNA-binding transcription repressor activity, RNA polymerase II-specificprotein bindingsequence-specific double-stranded DNA bindinghair colorinflammatory bowel diseaseneurodegenerative diseaseAlzheimer disease
✦AI Summary

CREM (cAMP responsive element modulator) is a transcription factor that functions as both an activator and repressor of gene expression through binding to cAMP response elements (CREs) in target gene promoters 1. The protein exists in multiple isoforms, with ICER (Inducible cAMP Early Repressor) serving as a notable repressor isoform that is inducibly expressed and creates negative feedback loops 1. In spermatogenesis, CREM acts as a master regulator where a developmental switch occurs from repressor to activator isoforms (particularly CREM tau) in post-meiotic germ cells, which is essential for sperm maturation 23. CREM knockout mice exhibit male infertility with spermatogenesis arrest at early spermiogenesis 1. The protein also regulates circadian rhythms by controlling melatonin synthesis through modulation of serotonin N-acetyltransferase expression 1. In immune responses, CREM functions as a regulatory checkpoint that limits effector functions in CAR-NK cells and CD8 T cells through cAMP-PKA signaling pathways 45. Additionally, CREM contributes to autoimmune diseases like SLE by repressing glutathione peroxidase 4 expression, leading to neutrophil ferroptosis 6. Clinically, CREM dysfunction is implicated in human male infertility and represents a potential therapeutic target for enhancing immune cell therapies 24.

Sources cited
1
CREM functions as transcriptional activator/repressor binding to CREs, includes ICER repressor isoform, regulates spermatogenesis and circadian rhythms
PMID: 9597751
2
CREM shows developmental switch from repressor to activator isoforms in human spermatogenesis, dysfunction associated with male infertility
PMID: 11079452
3
CREM acts as master regulator of spermiogenesis, knockout mice show male infertility
PMID: 15705296
4
CREM serves as regulatory checkpoint limiting CAR-NK cell effector function through PKA-CREB signaling
PMID: 40468083
5
CREM limits CD8 T cell activation in chronic HBV infection through cAMP-PKA signaling pathway
PMID: 38987588
6
CREM represses glutathione peroxidase 4 expression leading to neutrophil ferroptosis in autoimmune diseases
PMID: 34385713
Disease Associationsⓘ20
hair colorOpen Targets
0.38Weak
inflammatory bowel diseaseOpen Targets
0.37Weak
neurodegenerative diseaseOpen Targets
0.34Weak
Alzheimer diseaseOpen Targets
0.30Weak
epilepsyOpen Targets
0.28Weak
amebiasisOpen Targets
0.17Weak
Crohn's diseaseOpen Targets
0.17Weak
ulcerative colitisOpen Targets
0.14Weak
skin diseaseOpen Targets
0.14Weak
liver diseaseOpen Targets
0.13Weak
azoospermiaOpen Targets
0.11Weak
ankylosing spondylitisOpen Targets
0.11Weak
psoriasisOpen Targets
0.11Weak
sclerosing cholangitisOpen Targets
0.11Weak
spermatogenic failure 20Open Targets
0.09Suggestive
spermatogenic failure 59Open Targets
0.09Suggestive
spermatogenic failure 60Open Targets
0.09Suggestive
spermatogenic failure 73Open Targets
0.09Suggestive
spermatogenic failure 74Open Targets
0.09Suggestive
partial chromosome Y deletionOpen Targets
0.09Suggestive
Pathogenic Variants
No pathogenic variants reported on ClinVar for this gene.
View on ClinVar ↗
Related Genes
MROH2BShared pathway100%CREB3Protein interaction96%CREB3L1Protein interaction95%CREB3L2Protein interaction94%CREB3L4Protein interaction93%CREB5Protein interaction92%
Tissue Expression6 tissues
Heart
100%
Ovary
77%
Liver
66%
Lung
58%
Bone Marrow
56%
Brain
50%
Gene Interaction Network
Click a node to explore
CREMMROH2BCREB3CREB3L1CREB3L2CREB3L4CREB5
PROTEIN STRUCTURE
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AlphaFoldAI-predicted · UniProt Q03060
View on AlphaFold ↗
Constraintⓘ
LOEUFⓘ
0.53Moderately Constrained
pLIⓘ
0.95Intolerant
Observed/Expected LoF0.32 [0.20–0.53]
RankingsWhere CREM stands among ~20K protein-coding genes
  • #3,082of 20,598
    Most Researched147 · top quartile
  • #3,346of 17,882
    Most Constrained (LOEUF)0.53 · top quartile
Genes detectedCREM
Sources retrieved10 papers
Response time—
📄 Sources
10▼
1
Glutathione peroxidase 4-regulated neutrophil ferroptosis induces systemic autoimmunity.
PMID: 34385713
Nat Immunol · 2021
1.00
2
CREM is a regulatory checkpoint of CAR and IL-15 signalling in NK cells.
PMID: 40468083
Nature · 2025
0.90
3
Identification of the shared gene signatures and pathways between sarcopenia and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
PMID: 35271662
PLoS One · 2022
0.80
4
Genetic control of spermiogenesis: insights from the CREM gene and implications for human infertility.
PMID: 15705296
Reprod Biomed Online · 2005
0.70
5
A liver immune rheostat regulates CD8 T cell immunity in chronic HBV infection.
PMID: 38987588
Nature · 2024
0.60