In vivo requirement for the paired domain and homeodomain of the paired segmentation gene product

Development ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 122 (9) ◽  
pp. 2673-2685 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Bertuccioli ◽  
L. Fasano ◽  
S. Jun ◽  
S. Wang ◽  
G. Sheng ◽  
...  

The Drosophila pair-rule gene paired is required for the correct expression of the segment polarity genes wingless, engrailed and gooseberry. It encodes a protein containing three conserved motifs: a homeodomain (HD), a paired domain (PD) and a PRD (His/Pro) repeat. We use a rescue assay in which paired (or a mutated version of paired in which the functions of the conserved motifs have been altered) is expressed under the control of its own promoter, in the absence of endogenous paired, to dissect the Paired protein in vivo. We show that both the HD and the N- terminal subdomain of the PD (PAI domain) are absolutely required within the same molecule for normal paired function. In contrast, the conserved C-terminal subdomain of the PD (RED domain) appears to be dispensable. Furthermore, although a mutation abolishing the ability of the homeodomain to dimerize results in an impaired Paired molecule, this molecule is nonetheless able to mediate a high degree of rescue. Finally, a paired transgene lacking the PRD repeat is functionally impaired, but still able to rescue to viability. We conclude that, while Prd can use its DNA-binding domains combinatorially in order to achieve different DNA-binding specificities, its principal binding mode requires a cooperative interaction between the PAI domain and the homeodomain.

Development ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 122 (9) ◽  
pp. 2639-2650 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Jun ◽  
C. Desplan

The Pax proteins are a family of transcriptional regulators involved in many developmental processes in all higher eukaryotes. They are characterized by the presence of a paired domain (PD), a bipartite DNA binding domain composed of two helix-turn-helix (HTH) motifs, the PAI and RED domains. The PD is also often associated with a homeodomain (HD) which is itself able to form homo- and hetero-dimers on DNA. Many of these proteins therefore contain three HTH motifs each able to recognize DNA. However, all PDs recognize highly related DNA sequences, and most HDs also recognize almost identical sites. We show here that different Pax proteins use multiple combinations of their HTHs to recognize several types of target sites. For instance, the Drosophila Paired protein can bind, in vitro, exclusively through its PAI domain, or through a dimer of its HD, or through cooperative interaction between PAI domain and HD. However, prd function in vivo requires the synergistic action of both the PAI domain and the HD. Pax proteins with only a PD appear to require both PAI and RED domains, while a Pax-6 isoform and a new Pax protein, Lune, may rely on the RED domain and HD. We propose a model by which Pax proteins recognize different target genes in vivo through various combinations of their DNA binding domains, thus expanding their recognition repertoire.


1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 7257-7266 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Carriere ◽  
S Plaza ◽  
P Martin ◽  
B Quatannens ◽  
M Bailly ◽  
...  

After differential screening of a cDNA library constructed from quail neuroretina cells (QNR) infected with the v-myc-containing avian retrovirus MC29, we have isolated a cDNA clone, Pax-QNR, homologous to the murine Pax-6, which is mutated in the autosomal dominant mutation small eye of mice and in the disorder aniridia in humans. Here we report the characterization of the Pax-QNR proteins expressed in the avian neuroretina. From bacterially expressed Pax-QNR peptides, we obtained rabbit antisera directed against different domains of the protein: paired domain (serum 11), domain between the paired domain and homeodomain (serum 12), homeodomain (serum 13), and carboxyl-terminal part (serum 14). Sera 12, 13, and 14 were able to specifically recognize five proteins (48, 46, 43, 33, and 32 kDa) in the neuroretina. In contrast to proteins of 48, 46, and 43 kDa, proteins of 33 and 32 kDa were not recognized by the paired antiserum (serum 11). Paired-less and paired-containing proteins exhibited the same half-life (6 h) and were phosphorylated mostly on serine residues. Immunoprecipitations performed with subcellular fractions of neuroretinas showed that the paired-containing proteins were located in the nucleus, whereas the 33- and 32-kDa proteins were found essentially in the cytoplasmic compartment. However, immunofluorescence experiments performed after transient transfections showed that p46 and p33/32 were also located in vivo into the nucleus. Thus, the Pax-QNR/Pax-6 gene can produce proteins with two DNA-binding domains as well as proteins containing only the DNA-binding homeodomain.


1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 7257-7266
Author(s):  
C Carriere ◽  
S Plaza ◽  
P Martin ◽  
B Quatannens ◽  
M Bailly ◽  
...  

After differential screening of a cDNA library constructed from quail neuroretina cells (QNR) infected with the v-myc-containing avian retrovirus MC29, we have isolated a cDNA clone, Pax-QNR, homologous to the murine Pax-6, which is mutated in the autosomal dominant mutation small eye of mice and in the disorder aniridia in humans. Here we report the characterization of the Pax-QNR proteins expressed in the avian neuroretina. From bacterially expressed Pax-QNR peptides, we obtained rabbit antisera directed against different domains of the protein: paired domain (serum 11), domain between the paired domain and homeodomain (serum 12), homeodomain (serum 13), and carboxyl-terminal part (serum 14). Sera 12, 13, and 14 were able to specifically recognize five proteins (48, 46, 43, 33, and 32 kDa) in the neuroretina. In contrast to proteins of 48, 46, and 43 kDa, proteins of 33 and 32 kDa were not recognized by the paired antiserum (serum 11). Paired-less and paired-containing proteins exhibited the same half-life (6 h) and were phosphorylated mostly on serine residues. Immunoprecipitations performed with subcellular fractions of neuroretinas showed that the paired-containing proteins were located in the nucleus, whereas the 33- and 32-kDa proteins were found essentially in the cytoplasmic compartment. However, immunofluorescence experiments performed after transient transfections showed that p46 and p33/32 were also located in vivo into the nucleus. Thus, the Pax-QNR/Pax-6 gene can produce proteins with two DNA-binding domains as well as proteins containing only the DNA-binding homeodomain.


2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (13) ◽  
pp. 8661-8664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Schuck ◽  
Arne Stenlund

ABSTRACT Viral initiator proteins are polypeptides that form oligomeric complexes on the origin of DNA replication (ori). These complexes carry out a multitude of functions related to initiation of DNA replication, and although many of these functions have been characterized biochemically, little is understood about how the complexes are assembled. Here we demonstrate that loss of one particular interaction, the dimerization between E1 DNA binding domains, has a severe effect on DNA replication in vivo but has surprisingly modest effects on most individual biochemical activities in vitro. We conclude that the dimer interaction is primarily required for initial recognition of ori.


2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (22) ◽  
pp. 5325-5334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan T. Mitchell ◽  
Jasmine S. Smith ◽  
Mark Mason ◽  
Sandy Harper ◽  
David W. Speicher ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The essential yeast protein Cdc13 facilitates chromosome end replication by recruiting telomerase to telomeres, and together with its interacting partners Stn1 and Ten1, it protects chromosome ends from nucleolytic attack, thus contributing to genome integrity. Although Cdc13 has been studied extensively, the precise role of its N-terminal domain (Cdc13N) in telomere length regulation remains unclear. Here we present a structural, biochemical, and functional characterization of Cdc13N. The structure reveals that this domain comprises an oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide binding (OB) fold and is involved in Cdc13 dimerization. Biochemical data show that Cdc13N weakly binds long, single-stranded, telomeric DNA in a fashion that is directly dependent on domain oligomerization. When introduced into full-length Cdc13 in vivo, point mutations that prevented Cdc13N dimerization or DNA binding caused telomere shortening or lengthening, respectively. The multiple DNA binding domains and dimeric nature of Cdc13 offer unique insights into how it coordinates the recruitment and regulation of telomerase access to the telomeres.


2018 ◽  
Vol 293 (46) ◽  
pp. 17888-17905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús Fernández-Zapata ◽  
Ricardo Pérez-Castaño ◽  
Juan Aranda ◽  
Francesco Colizzi ◽  
María Carmen Polanco ◽  
...  

Newly discovered bacterial photoreceptors called CarH sense light by using 5′-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl). They repress their own expression and that of genes for carotenoid synthesis by binding in the dark to operator DNA as AdoCbl-bound tetramers, whose light-induced disassembly relieves repression. High-resolution structures of Thermus thermophilus CarHTt have provided snapshots of the dark and light states and have revealed a unique DNA-binding mode whereby only three of four DNA-binding domains contact an operator comprising three tandem direct repeats. To gain further insights into CarH photoreceptors and employing biochemical, spectroscopic, mutational, and computational analyses, here we investigated CarHBm from Bacillus megaterium. We found that apoCarHBm, unlike monomeric apoCarHTt, is an oligomeric molten globule that forms DNA-binding tetramers in the dark only upon AdoCbl binding, which requires a conserved W-X9-EH motif. Light relieved DNA binding by disrupting CarHBm tetramers to dimers, rather than to monomers as with CarHTt. CarHBm operators resembled that of CarHTt, but were larger by one repeat and overlapped with the −35 or −10 promoter elements. This design persisted in a six-repeat, multipartite operator we discovered upstream of a gene encoding an Spx global redox-response regulator whose photoregulated expression links photooxidative and general redox responses in B. megaterium. Interestingly, CarHBm recognized the smaller CarHTt operator, revealing an adaptability possibly related to the linker bridging the DNA- and AdoCbl-binding domains. Our findings highlight a remarkable plasticity in the mode of action of B12-based CarH photoreceptors, important for their biological functions and development as optogenetic tools.


2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (16) ◽  
pp. 5591-5604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjeev Galande ◽  
Liliane A. Dickinson ◽  
I. Saira Mian ◽  
Marianna Sikorska ◽  
Terumi Kohwi-Shigematsu

ABSTRACT SATB1 is expressed primarily in thymocytes and orchestrates temporal and spatial expression of a large number of genes in the T-cell lineage. SATB1 binds to the bases of chromatin loop domains in vivo, recognizing a special DNA context with strong base-unpairing propensity. The majority of thymocytes are eliminated by apoptosis due to selection processes in the thymus. We investigated the fate of SATB1 during thymocyte and T-cell apoptosis. Here we show that SATB1 is specifically cleaved by a caspase 6-like protease at amino acid position 254 to produce a 65-kDa major fragment containing both a base-unpairing region (BUR)-binding domain and a homeodomain. We found that this cleavage separates the DNA-binding domains from amino acids 90 to 204, a region which we show to be a dimerization domain. The resulting SATB1 monomer loses its BUR-binding activity, despite containing both its DNA-binding domains, and rapidly dissociates from chromatin in vivo. We found this dimerization region to have sequence similarity to PDZ domains, which have been previously shown to be involved in signaling by conferring protein-protein interactions. SATB1 cleavage during Jurkat T-cell apoptosis induced by an anti-Fas antibody occurs concomitantly with the high-molecular-weight fragmentation of chromatin of ∼50-kb fragments. Our results suggest that mechanisms of nuclear degradation early in apoptotic T cells involve efficient removal of SATB1 by disrupting its dimerization and cleavage of genomic DNA into loop domains to ensure rapid and efficient disassembly of higher-order chromatin structure.


1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 3006-3014 ◽  
Author(s):  
E A Golemis ◽  
R Brent

Many studies of transcription activation employ fusions of activation domains to DNA binding domains derived from the bacterial repressor LexA and the yeast activator GAL4. Such studies often implicitly assume that DNA binding by the chimeric proteins is equivalent to that of the protein donating the DNA binding moiety. To directly investigate this issue, we compared operator binding by a series of LexA-derivative proteins to operator binding by native LexA, by using both in vivo and in vitro assays. We show that operator binding by many proteins such as LexA-Myc, LexA-Fos, and LexA-Bicoid is severely impaired, while binding of other LexA-derivative proteins, such as those that carry bacterially encoded acidic sequences ("acid blobs"), is not. Our results also show that DNA binding by LexA derivatives that contain the LexA carboxy-terminal dimerization domain (amino acids 88 to 202) is considerably stronger than binding by fusions that lack it and that heterologous dimerization motifs cannot substitute for the LexA88-202 function. These results suggest the need to reevaluate some previous studies of activation that employed LexA derivatives and modifications to recent experimental approaches that use LexA and GAL4 derivatives to detect and study protein-protein interactions.


Development ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 122 (9) ◽  
pp. 2709-2718 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Miskiewicz ◽  
D. Morrissey ◽  
Y. Lan ◽  
L. Raj ◽  
S. Kessler ◽  
...  

Drosophila paired, a homolog of mammalian Pax-3, is key to the coordinated regulation of segment-polarity genes during embryogenesis. The paired gene and its homologs are unusual in encoding proteins with two DNA-binding domains, a paired domain and a homeodomain. We are using an in vivo assay to dissect the functions of the domains of this type of molecule. In particular, we are interested in determining whether one or both DNA-binding activities are required for individual in vivo functions of Paired. We constructed point mutants in each domain designed to disrupt DNA binding and tested the mutants with ectopic expression assays in Drosophila embryos. Mutations in either domain abolished the normal regulation of the target genes engrailed, hedgehog, gooseberry and even-skipped, suggesting that these in vivo functions of Paired require DNA binding through both domains rather than either domain alone. However, when the two mutant proteins were placed in the same embryo, Paired function was restored, indicating that the two DNA-binding activities need not be present in the same molecule. Quantitation of this effect shows that the paired domain mutant has a dominant-negative effect consistent with the observations that Paired protein can bind DNA as a dimer.


2000 ◽  
Vol 348 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mate TOLNAY ◽  
Lajos BARANYI ◽  
George C. TSOKOS

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D0 (hnRNP D0) is an abundant, ubiquitous protein that binds RNA and DNA sequences specifically, and has been implicated in the transcriptional regulation of the human complement receptor 2 gene. We found that in vivo expression of hnRNP D0-GAL4 fusion proteins increased the transcriptional activity of a GAL4-driven reporter gene, providing direct proof that hnRNP D0 possesses a transactivator domain. We found, using truncated hnRNP D0 proteins fused to GAL4, that 29 amino acids in the N-terminal region are critical for transactivation. We established, using a series of recombinant truncated hnRNP D0 proteins, that the tandem RNA-binding domains alone were not able to bind double-stranded DNA. Nevertheless, 24 additional amino acids of the C-terminus imparted sequence-specific DNA binding. Experiments using peptide-specific antisera supported the importance of the 24-amino-acid region in DNA binding, and suggested the involvement of the 19-amino-acid alternative insert which is present in isoforms B and D. The N-terminus had an inhibitory effect on binding of hnRNP D0 to single-stranded, but not to double-stranded, DNA. Although both recombinant hnRNP D0B and D0D bound DNA, only the B isoform recognized DNA in vivo. We propose that the B isoform of hnRNP D0 functions in the nucleus as a DNA-binding transactivator and has distinct transactivator and DNA-binding domains.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document