scholarly journals Activating Signal Cointegrator 2 Belongs to a Novel Steady-State Complex That Contains a Subset of Trithorax Group Proteins

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 140-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-Hwa Goo ◽  
Young Chang Sohn ◽  
Dae-Hwan Kim ◽  
Seung-Whan Kim ◽  
Min-Jung Kang ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Many transcription coactivators interact with nuclear receptors in a ligand- and C-terminal transactivation function (AF2)-dependent manner. These include activating signal cointegrator 2 (ASC-2), a recently isolated transcriptional coactivator molecule, which is amplified in human cancers and stimulates transactivation by nuclear receptors and numerous other transcription factors. In this report, we show that ASC-2 belongs to a steady-state complex of approximately 2 MDa (ASC-2 complex [ASCOM]) in HeLa nuclei. ASCOM contains retinoblastoma-binding protein RBQ-3, α/β-tubulins, and trithorax group proteins ALR-1, ALR-2, HALR, and ASH2. In particular, ALR-1/2 and HALR contain a highly conserved 130- to 140-amino-acid motif termed the SET domain, which was recently implicated in histone H3 lysine-specific methylation activities. Indeed, recombinant ALR-1, HALR, and immunopurified ASCOM exhibit very weak but specific H3-lysine 4 methylation activities in vitro, and transactivation by retinoic acid receptor appears to involve ligand-dependent recruitment of ASCOM and subsequent transient H3-lysine 4 methylation of the promoter region in vivo. Thus, ASCOM may represent a distinct coactivator complex of nuclear receptors. Further characterization of ASCOM will lead to a better understanding of how nuclear receptors and other transcription factors mediate transcriptional activation.

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth N Corry ◽  
D Alan Underhill

To date, the majority of the research regarding eukaryotic transcription factors has focused on characterizing their function primarily through in vitro methods. These studies have revealed that transcription factors are essentially modular structures, containing separate regions that participate in such activities as DNA binding, protein–protein interaction, and transcriptional activation or repression. To fully comprehend the behavior of a given transcription factor, however, these domains must be analyzed in the context of the entire protein, and in certain cases the context of a multiprotein complex. Furthermore, it must be appreciated that transcription factors function in the nucleus, where they must contend with a variety of factors, including the nuclear architecture, chromatin domains, chromosome territories, and cell-cycle-associated processes. Recent examinations of transcription factors in the nucleus have clarified the behavior of these proteins in vivo and have increased our understanding of how gene expression is regulated in eukaryotes. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding sequence-specific transcription factor compartmentalization within the nucleus and discuss its impact on the regulation of such processes as activation or repression of gene expression and interaction with coregulatory factors.Key words: transcription, subnuclear localization, chromatin, gene expression, nuclear architecture.


1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 4028-4038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shen-Hsi Yang ◽  
Alex Galanis ◽  
Andrew D. Sharrocks

ABSTRACT Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase-mediated signalling to the nucleus is an important event in the conversion of extracellular signals into a cellular response. However, the existence of multiple MAP kinases which phosphorylate similar phosphoacceptor motifs poses a problem in maintaining substrate specificity and hence the correct biological response. Both the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) subfamilies of MAP kinases use a second specificity determinant and require docking to their transcription factor substrates to achieve maximal substrate activation. In this study, we demonstrate that among the different MAP kinases, the MADS-box transcription factors MEF2A and MEF2C are preferentially phosphorylated and activated by the p38 subfamily members p38α and p38β2. The efficiency of phosphorylation in vitro and transcriptional activation in vivo of MEF2A and MEF2C by these p38 subtypes requires the presence of a kinase docking domain (D-domain). Furthermore, the D-domain from MEF2A is sufficient to confer p38 responsiveness on different transcription factors, and reciprocal effects are observed upon the introduction of alternative D-domains into MEF2A. These results therefore contribute to our understanding of signalling to MEF2 transcription factors and demonstrate that the requirement for substrate binding by MAP kinases is an important facet of three different subclasses of MAP kinases (ERK, JNK, and p38).


2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 1140-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dae-Won Kim ◽  
Brent H. Cochran

ABSTRACT We have previously shown that TFII-I enhances transcriptional activation of the c-fos promoter through interactions with upstream elements in a signal-dependent manner. Here we demonstrate that activated Ras and RhoA synergize with TFII-I for c-fospromoter activation, whereas dominant-negative Ras and RhoA inhibit these effects of TFII-I. The Mek1 inhibitor, PD98059 abrogates the enhancement of the c-fos promoter by TFII-I, indicating that TFII-I function is dependent on an active mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. Analysis of the TFII-I protein sequence revealed that TFII-I contains a consensus MAP kinase interaction domain (D box). Consistent with this, we have found that TFII-I forms an in vivo complex with extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK). Point mutations within the consensus MAP kinase binding motif of TFII-I inhibit its ability to bind ERK and its ability to enhance the c-fos promoter. Therefore, the D box of TFII-I is required for its activity on the c-fos promoter. Moreover, the interaction between TFII-I and ERK can be regulated. Serum stimulation enhances complex formation between TFII-I and ERK, and dominant-negative Ras abrogates this interaction. In addition, TFII-I can be phosphorylated in vitro by ERK and mutation of consensus MAP kinase substrate sites at serines 627 and 633 impairs the phosphorylation of TFII-I by ERK and its activity on the c-fos promoter. These results suggest that ERK regulates the activity of TFII-I by direct phosphorylation.


2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (4) ◽  
pp. 1118-1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niilo Kaldalu ◽  
Urve Toots ◽  
Victor de Lorenzo ◽  
Mart Ustav

ABSTRACT The alkylbenzoate degradation genes of Pseudomonas putida TOL plasmid are positively regulated by XylS, an AraC family protein, in a benzoate-dependent manner. In this study, we used deletion mutants and hybrid proteins to identify which parts of XylS are responsible for the DNA binding, transcriptional activation, and benzoate inducibility. We found that a 112-residue C-terminal fragment of XylS binds specifically to the Pm operator in vitro, protects this sequence from DNase I digestion identically to the wild-type (wt) protein, and activates the Pm promoter in vivo. When overexpressed, that C-terminal fragment could activate transcription as efficiently as wt XylS. All the truncations, which incorporated these 112 C-terminal residues, were able to activate transcription at least to some extent when overproduced. Intactness of the 210-residue N-terminal portion was found to be necessary for benzoate responsiveness of XylS. Deletions in the N-terminal and central regions seriously reduced the activity of XylS and caused the loss of effector control, whereas insertions into the putative interdomain region did not change the basic features of the XylS protein. Our results confirm that XylS consists of two parts which probably interact with each other. The C-terminal domain carries DNA-binding and transcriptional activation abilities, while the N-terminal region carries effector-binding and regulatory functions.


2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 2718-2726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Rachez ◽  
Matthew Gamble ◽  
Chao-Pei Betty Chang ◽  
G. Brandon Atkins ◽  
Mitchell A. Lazar ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Transcriptional activation requires both access to DNA assembled as chromatin and functional contact with components of the basal transcription machinery. Using the hormone-bound vitamin D3receptor (VDR) ligand binding domain (LBD) as an affinity matrix, we previously identified a novel multisubunit coactivator complex, DRIP (VDR-interacting proteins), required for transcriptional activation by nuclear receptors and several other transcription factors. In this report, we characterize the nuclear receptor binding features of DRIP205, a key subunit of the DRIP complex, that interacts directly with VDR and thyroid hormone receptor in response to ligand and anchors the other DRIP subunits to the nuclear receptor LBD. In common with other nuclear receptor coactivators, DRIP205 interaction occurs through one of two LXXLL motifs and requires the receptor's AF-2 subdomain. Although the second motif of DRIP205 is required only for VDR binding in vitro, both motifs are used in the context of an retinoid X receptor-VDR heterodimer on DNA and in transactivation in vivo. We demonstrate that both endogenous p160 coactivators and DRIP complexes bind to the VDR LBD from nuclear extracts through similar sequence requirements, but they do so as distinct complexes. Moreover, in contrast to the p160 family of coactivators, the DRIP complex is devoid of any histone acetyltransferase activity. The results demonstrate that different coactivator complexes with distinct functions bind to the same transactivation region of nuclear receptors, suggesting that they are both required for transcription activation by nuclear receptors.


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Helbing ◽  
Jennifer Heinke ◽  
Franziska Volkmar ◽  
Leonie Wehofsits ◽  
Kim-Miriam Baar ◽  
...  

BMPER (bone morphogenetic protein [BMP] endothelial precursor cell derived regulator) is an extracellular protein, that interacts with BMPs and thereby modulates BMP dependent vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Our previous observations suggest a complex regulation of BMPER expression. During embryogenesis BMPER is expressed at the time and at sites of vasculogenesis, whereas in the adult organism it is expressed in heart, lung and skin. Methods and Results: We have cloned the mouse BMPER promoter and appropriate deletion constructs into pGL3 to regulate luciferase expression. As predicted in silicio, we found that Sp1 and Sp1-like transcription factors such as the krueppel-like factors (KLFs) regulate BMPER transcription. KLF-15 resulted in a 4.5 fold upregulation. Accordingly, BMPER expression was inhibited by the Sp-1/SP-1 like inhibitor mitramycin A. Site specific mutation of a proximal KLF-15 binding site reduced the effect of KLF-15 on BMPER expression. Along the same lines, knock down of KLF-15 in HUVEC by siRNA reduced BMPER expression. The transactivating effect of KLF-15 could be competed away by coexpression of Sp-1 suggesting that both factors may compete for the same binding site in the BMPER promoter. In EMSA, an oligo representing a well characterized KLF-15 binding site in the AceCs2 promoter but not an oligo encoding for a NFkappa-B site competed with the oligo coding for the KLF-15 site in the BMPER promoter. In contrast FoxO3A, a member of the FoxO family of transcription factors, serves as an inhibitor of BMPER expression, as shown by gain and lack of FoxO3A experiments. Additionally, we found that BMPER stimulates angiogenesis in a BMP-4 dependent manner in several in vitro and in vivo assays. Vice versa, BMPER is necessary for BMP-4 to exert is angiogenic activity on endothelial cells. Conclusion: BMPER is upregulated by KLF-15 and inhibited by FoxO3a. BMPER has angiogenic activity and is a key modulator of the BMP pathway.


2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (24) ◽  
pp. 8859-8873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Zhu ◽  
Ulla Hansen

ABSTRACT HMGN1, an abundant nucleosomal binding protein, can affect both the chromatin higher order structure and the modification of nucleosomal histones, but it alters the expression of only a subset of genes. We investigated specific gene targeting by HMGN1 in the context of estrogen induction of gene expression. Knockdown and overexpression experiments indicated that HMGN1 limits the induction of several estrogen-regulated genes, including TFF1 and FOS, which are induced by estrogen through entirely distinct mechanisms. HMGN1 specifically interacts with estrogen receptor α (ERα), both in vitro and in vivo. At the TFF1 promoter, estrogen increases HMGN1 association through recruitment by the ERα. HMGN1 S20E/S24E, although deficient in binding nucleosomal DNA, still interacts with ERα and, strikingly, still represses estrogen-driven activation of the TFF1 gene. On the FOS promoter, which lacks the ERα binding sites, constitutively bound serum response factor (SRF) mediates estrogen stimulation. HMGN1 also interacts specifically with SRF, but HMGN1 S20E/S24E does not. Consistent with the protein interactions, only wild-type HMGN1 significantly inhibits the estrogen-driven activation of the FOS gene. Mechanistically, the inhibition of estrogen induction of several ERα-associated genes, including TFF1, by HMGN1 correlates with decreased levels of acetylation of Lys9 on histone H3. Together, these findings indicate that HMGN1 regulates the expression of particular genes via specific protein-protein interactions with transcription factors at target gene regulatory regions.


2007 ◽  
Vol 408 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Villar ◽  
Alicia Vara-Vega ◽  
Manuel O. Landázuri ◽  
Luis Del Peso

HIFs [hypoxia-inducible (transcription) factors] are essential for the induction of an adaptive gene expression programme under low oxygen partial pressure. The activity of these transcription factors is mainly determined by the stability of the HIFα subunit, which is regulated, in an oxygen-dependent manner, by a family of three prolyl 4-hydroxylases [EGLN1–EGLN3 (EGL nine homologues 1–3)]. HIFα contains two, N- and C-terminal, independent ODDs (oxygen-dependent degradation domains), namely NODD and CODD, that, upon hydroxylation by the EGLNs, target HIFα for proteasomal degradation. In vitro studies indicate that each EGLN shows a differential preference for ODDs, However, the sequence determinants for such specificity are unknown. In the present study we showed that whereas EGLN1 and EGLN2 acted upon any of these ODDs to regulate HIF1α protein levels and activity in vivo, EGLN3 only acted on the CODD. With the aim of identifying the region within EGLNs responsible for their differential substrate preference, we investigated the activity and binding pattern of different EGLN deletions and chimaeric constructs generated by domain swapping between EGLN1 and EGLN3. These studies revealed a region of 97 residues that was sufficient to confer the characteristic substrate binding observed for each EGLN. Within this region, we identified the minimal sequence (EGLN1 residues 236–252) involved in substrate discrimination. Importantly, mapping of these sequences on the EGLN1 tertiary structure indicates that substrate specificity is determined by a region relatively remote from the catalytic site.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 315-315
Author(s):  
Lan Dan ◽  
Basant Kumar Thakur ◽  
Julia Skokowa ◽  
Karl Welte

Abstract C/EBP transcription factors are crucial for the regulation of granulopoiesis in vitro and in vivo. C/EBPa is considered to be the master regulator of “steady state” granulopoiesis via upregulation of several myeloid genes (e.g. ELA2, CSFR3, etc.). The absence of C/ EBPa results in a complete loss of neutrophils. We were able to show that in patients with severe congenital neutropenia (CN) harbouring HAX-1 or ELA2 mutations C/EBPa is severely abrogated secondary to defective expression of LEF-1 (Skokowa J, et al. Nat Med.12, 1191–7 (2006)). Therefore, we were interested, whether other transcription factors are capable of substituting C/EBPa, since these patients respond to G-CSF with slight increase in neutrophils from less than 200/ul to above 1500/ul depending on the dose of G-CSF. C/EBPβ has recently been shown to be required for cytokine induced “emergency” granulopoiesis (Hirai H, et al. Nat Immunol.7, 732-9 (2006)). Therefore, we investigated the expression pattern of C/EBPβ during G-CSF treatment of CN patients. Indeed, C/EBPβ mRNA was upregulated 2.8-fold in CD33+ myeloid cells from CN patients by G-CSF treatment, as compared to healthy individuals. It was associated with upregulation of G-CSFR mRNA and –protein expression as well as ligand binding to G-CSFR in myeloid cells, and elevated levels of biologically active G-CSF in serum from CN patients. To confirm C/EBPβ-dependent activation of G-CSFR and G-CSF gene expression, we performed reporter gene assays in CD34+ bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells from two CN patients co-transfected with C/EBPβ and reporter constructs containing upstream regulatory regions of G-CSF or G-CSFR genes, −1470bp and −670bp, respectively. Indeed, C/EBPβ activated G-CSFR promoter 3.2-fold and G-CSF promoter 5.4-fold. These data demonstrate that in CN patients, G-CSF induces C/EBPa independent granulopoiesis and that C/EBPβ is required for the response to G-CSF treatment in these patients. C/EBPβ leads in response to G-CSF to induction of differentiation of neutrophil precursors to mature neutrophils in vivo. Our hypothesis is that in CN the steady state granulopoiesis is abrogated whereas the emergency granulopoiesis still leads to sufficient numbers of neutrophils.


1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2599-2605 ◽  
Author(s):  
L S Lum ◽  
S Hsu ◽  
M Vaewhongs ◽  
B Wu

Expression of the human hsp70 gene is cell cycle regulated and is inducible by both serum and the adenovirus E1a protein (K. Milarski and R. Morimoto, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:9517-9521, 1986; M. C. Simon, K. Kitchener, H.-T. Kao, E. Hickey, L. Weber, R. Voellmy, N. Heintz, and J. R. Nevins, Mol. Cell. Biol. 7:2884-2890, 1987; B. Wu, H. Hurst, N. Jones, and R. Morimoto, Mol. Cell. Biol. 6:2994-2999, 1986; B. Wu and R. Morimoto, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:6070-6074, 1985). This regulated expression is predominantly controlled by the CCAAT element at position -70 relative to the transcriptional initiation site (G. Williams, T. McClanahan, and R. Morimoto, Mol. Cell. Biol. 9:2574-2587, 1989; B. Wu, H. Hurst, N. Jones, and R. Morimoto, Mol. Cell. Biol. 6:2994-2999, 1986). A corresponding CCAAT-binding factor (CBF) of 999 amino acids has recently been cloned and shown to stimulate transcription selectively from the hsp70 promoter in a CCAAT element-dependent manner (L. Lum, L. Sultzman, R. Kaufman, D. Linzer, and B. Wu, Mol. Cell. Biol. 10:6709-6717, 1990). We report here that the first 192 residues of CBF, when fused to the DNA-binding domain of the heterologous activator GAL-4, are necessary and sufficient to mediate E1a-dependent transcriptional activation. E1a and CBF exhibit complex formation in vitro, suggesting that an in vivo interaction between these proteins may be relevant to the well-characterized E1a-induced transcriptional activation of the hsp70 promoter.


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