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Biomedical subjects

N Tanese

Publications and source records attributed to N Tanese.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A novel gene, GliH1, with homology to the Gli zinc finger domain not required for mouse development.

The Sonic hedgehog (Shh)-Gli signaling pathway regulates development of many organs, including teeth. We cloned a novel gene encoding a transcription factor that contains a zinc finger domain with highest homology to the Gli family of proteins (61-64% amino acid sequence identity) from incisor pulp. Consistent with this sequence conservation, gel mobility shift assays demonstrated that this new Gli homologous protein, GliH1, could bind previously characterized Gli DNA binding sites. Furthermore, transfection assays in dental pulp cells showed that whereas Gli1 induces a nearly 50-fold increase in activity of a luciferase reporter containing Gli DNA binding sites, coexpression of Gli1 with Gli3 and/or GliH1 results in inhibition of the Gli1-stimulated luciferase activity. In situ hybridization analysis of mouse embryos demonstrated that GliH1 expression is initiated later than the three Gli genes and has a more restricted expression pattern. GliH1 is first detected diffusely in the limb buds at 10.0 days post coitus and later is expressed in the branchial arches, craniofacial interface, ventral part of the tail, whisker follicles and hair, intervertebral discs, teeth, eyes and kidney. LacZ was inserted into the GliH1 allele in embryonic stem cells to produce mice lacking GliH1 function. While this produced indicator mice for GliH1-expression, analysis of mutant mice revealed no discernible phenotype or required function for GliH1. A search of the Celera Genomics and associated databases identified possible gene sequences encoding a zinc finger domain with approximately 90% homology to that of GliH1, indicating there is a family of GliH genes and raising the possibility of overlapping functions during development.

Alleles↗

A member of the nuclear factor-1 family is involved in the pituitary repression of the human placental growth hormone genes.

The human growth hormone (GH) gene family consists of five tandemly arranged and highly related genes, including the chorionic somatomammotropins (CSs), at a single locus on chromosome 17. Despite striking homologies in promoter and flanking DNA sequences, the genes within this locus have different tissue-specific patterns of expression: GH-N is expressed almost exclusively in the somatotrophs of the anterior pituitary; the remaining genes, including CS-A, are expressed in placental syncytiotrophoblast. Previously we proposed that active repression of the placental gene promoters in pituitary GC cells is mediated by upstream 'P' sequences and, specifically, a 263 bp region containing two 'P' sequence elements (PSE-A and PSE-B) and corresponding factors (PSF-A and PSF-B). We have now examined the possibility that PSF-A and PSF-B are members of the nuclear factor (NF)-1 family. Transcripts of NF-1A, NF-1C and NF-1X, but not of NF-1B, were readily detected in GC cells. High-affinity binding of NF-1 to PSE-B, but not to PSE-A, was confirmed by competition of DNA-protein interactions by using NF-1 DNA elements and antibodies. Functionally, a NF-1 element was able to substitute for PSE-B as a promoter-specific repressor in GC cells after gene transfer. However, there was a difference in the magnitude of repression exerted by the NF-1 and PSF-B elements on the CS-A promoter and, with the use of mutations, this difference was shown to be consistent with variations in NF-1-binding sequences. These results indicate that PSF-B, but not PSF-A, is a member of the NF-1 family, which participates in the PSF complex and in the repression of the CS-A promoter in pituitary GC cells.

Animals↗

Hepatitis B virus HBx protein activation of cyclin A-cyclin-dependent kinase 2 complexes and G1 transit via a Src kinase pathway.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that the hepatitis B virus HBx protein stimulates signal transduction pathways and may bind to certain transcription factors, particularly the cyclic AMP response element binding protein, CREB. HBx has also been shown to promote early cell cycle progression, possibly by functionally replacing the TATA-binding protein-associated factor 250 (TAF(II)250), a transcriptional coactivator, and/or by stimulating cytoplasmic signal transduction pathways. To understand the basis for early cell cycle progression mediated by HBx, we characterized the molecular mechanism by which HBx promotes deregulation of the G0 and G1 cell cycle checkpoints in growth-arrested cells. We demonstrate that TAF(II)250 is absolutely required for HBx activation of the cyclin A promoter and for promotion of early cell cycle transit from G0 through G1. Thus, HBx does not functionally replace TAF(II)250 for transcriptional activity or for cell cycle progression, in contrast to a previous report. Instead, HBx is shown to activate the cyclin A promoter, induce cyclin A-cyclin-dependent kinase 2 complexes, and promote cycling of growth-arrested cells into G1 through a pathway involving activation of Src tyrosine kinases. HBx stimulation of Src kinases and cyclin gene expression was found to force growth-arrested cells to transit through G1 but to stall at the junction with S phase, which may be important for viral replication.

CDC2-CDC28 Kinases↗

Assembly of partial TFIID complexes in mammalian cells reveals distinct activities associated with individual TATA box-binding protein-associated factors.

The TATA box-binding protein (TBP) and TBP-associated factors (TAF(II)s) compose the general transcription factor TFIID. The TAF(II) subunits mediate activated transcription by RNA polymerase II by interacting directly with site-specific transcriptional regulators. TAF(II)s also participate in promoter recognition by contacting core promoter elements in the context of TFIID. To further dissect the contribution of individual TAF(II) subunits to mammalian TFIID function, we employed a vaccinia virus-based protein expression system to study protein-protein interactions and complex assembly. We identified the domains of human (h) TAF(II)130 required for TAF(II)-TAF(II) interactions and formation of a complex with hTBP, hTAF(II)100, and hTAF(II)250. Functional analysis of partial TFIID complexes formed in vivo indicated that hTAF(II)130 was required for transcriptional activation by Sp1 in vitro. DNase I footprinting experiments demonstrated that purified hTBP/hTAF(II)250 complex reconstituted with or without additional TAF(II)s was significantly reduced for TATA box binding (as much as 9-fold) compared with free hTBP. By contrast, hTAF(II)130 stabilized binding of hTBP to the TATA box, whereas hTAF(II)100 had little effect. Thus, our biochemical analysis supports the notion that TAF(II)s possess distinct functions to regulate the activity of TFIID.

Cell Line↗

Expanded polyglutamine stretches interact with TAFII130, interfering with CREB-dependent transcription.

At least eight inherited neurodegenerative diseases are caused by expanded CAG repeats encoding polyglutamine (polyQ) stretches. Although cytotoxicities of expanded polyQ stretches are implicated, the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration remain unclear. We found that expanded polyQ stretches preferentially bind to TAFII130, a coactivator involved in cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB)-dependent transcriptional activation, and strongly suppress CREB-dependent transcriptional activation. The suppression of CREB-dependent transcription and the cell death induced by polyQ stretches were restored by the co-expression of TAFII130. Our results indicate that interference of transcription by the binding of TAFII130 with expanded polyQ stretches is involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration.

Aged↗

Osa associates with the Brahma chromatin remodeling complex and promotes the activation of some target genes.

The yeast SWI/SNF complex and its Drosophila and mammalian homologs are thought to control gene expression by altering chromatin structure, but the mechanism and specificity of this process are not fully understood. The Drosophila osa gene, like yeast SWI1, encodes an AT-rich interaction (ARID) domain protein. We present genetic and biochemical evidence that Osa is a component of the Brahma complex, the Drosophila homolog of SWI/SNF. The ARID domain of Osa binds DNA without sequence specificity in vitro, but it is sufficient to direct transcriptional regulatory domains to specific target genes in vivo. Endogenous Osa appears to promote the activation of some of these genes. We show evidence that some Brahma-containing complexes do not contain Osa and that Osa is not required to localize Brahma to chromatin. These data suggest that Osa modulates the function of the Brahma complex.

Animals↗

Genetic dissection of hTAF(II)130 defines a hydrophobic surface required for interaction with glutamine-rich activators.

The general transcription factor TFIID is a multiprotein complex consisting of the TATA box-binding protein and multiple TATA box-binding protein-associated factors (TAF(II)s). The central domain of human TAF(II)130 contains four glutamine-rich regions Q1-Q4 that interact with transcriptional activators such as Sp1 and CREB and mediate activation. We screened in yeast random point mutations introduced into Q1-Q4 against the Sp1 activation domain and obtained a distinct set of hTAF(II)130s with alterations in TAF(II)-activator interaction. Here we characterize functionally an hTAF(II)130 mutant containing a phenylalanine to serine change at position 311 (F311S) that is compromised in its ability to associate with Sp1B and CREB-N activation domains. Substitution of phenylalanine with tyrosine but not with isoleucine or tryptophan also reduced hTAF(II)130 interaction, suggesting that the hydrophobic character rather than the specific amino acid at this position is a key determinant of interaction. Deletion of nine amino acids (Delta9) surrounding Phe(311) abolished the interaction of hTAF(II)130 with Sp1. Overexpression of hTAF(II)130Q1/Q2 and Q1-Q4 strongly inhibited Sp1-dependent transcriptional enhancement in transient transfection assays, whereas expression of either F311S or Delta9 only partially suppressed Sp1-mediated activation. Thus, a short hydrophobic sequence motif encompassing Phe(311) in hTAF(II)130 represents a critical surface with which Sp1B interacts to activate transcription.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Distinct subdomains of human TAFII130 are required for interactions with glutamine-rich transcriptional activators.

TFIID is a multiprotein complex consisting of the TATA box binding protein and multiple tightly associated proteins (TAFIIs) that are required for transcription by selected activators. We previously reported cloning and partial characterization of human TAFII130 (hTAFII130). The central domain of hTAFII130 contains four glutamine-rich regions, designated Q1 to Q4, that are involved in interactions with the transcriptional activator Sp1. Mutational analysis has revealed specific regions within the glutamine-rich (Q1 to Q4) central region of hTAFII130 that are required for interaction with distinct activation domains. We tested amino- and carboxyl-terminal deletions of hTAFII130 for interaction with Sp1 activation domains A and B (Sp1A and Sp1B) and the N-terminal activation domain of CREB (CREB-N) by using the yeast two-hybrid system. Our results indicate that Sp1B interacts almost exclusively with the Q1 region of hTAFII130. In contrast, Sp1A makes multiple contacts with Q1 to Q4 of hTAFII130, while CREB-N interacts primarily with the Q1-Q2 hTAFII130 subdomain. Consistent with these interaction studies, overexpression of the Q1-to-Q4 region in HeLa cells inhibits Sp1- but not VP16-mediated transcriptional activation. These findings indicate that the Q1-to-Q4 region of hTAFII130 is required for Sp1-mediated transcriptional enhancement in mammalian cells and that different activation domains target distinct subdomains of hTAFII130.

Binding Sites↗

The activation domain of the enhancer binding protein p45NF-E2 interacts with TAFII130 and mediates long-range activation of the alpha- and beta-globin gene loci in an erythroid cell line.

We have used the interaction between the erythroid-specific enhancer in hypersensitivity site 2 of the human beta-globin locus control region and the globin gene promoters as a paradigm to examine the mechanisms governing promoter/enhancer interactions in this locus. We have demonstrated that enhancer-dependent activation of the globin promoters is dependent on the presence of both a TATA box in the proximal promoter and the binding site for the erythroid-specific heteromeric transcription factor NF-E2 in the enhancer. Mutational analysis of the transcriptionally active component of NF-E2, p45NF-E2, localizes the critical region for this function to a proline-rich transcriptional activation domain in the NH2-terminal 80 amino acids of the protein. In contrast to the wild-type protein, expression of p45 NF-E2 lacking this activation domain in an NF-E2 null cell line fails to support enhancer-dependent transcription in transient assays. More significantly, the mutated protein also fails to reactivate expression of the endogenous beta- or alpha-globin loci in this cell line. Protein-protein interaction studies reveal that this domain of p45 NF-E2 binds specifically to a component of the transcription initiation complex, TATA binding protein associated factor TAFII130. These findings suggest one potential mechanism for direct recruitment of distal regulatory regions of the globin loci to the individual promoters.

Binding Sites↗

Small-scale density gradient sedimentation to separate and analyze multiprotein complexes.

The transcription factor TFIID is a multisubunit complex that is required for promoter recognition and accurate initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II. To dissect the molecular architecture and the biochemical properties of TFIID, a small-scale density gradient sedimentation method is employed to separate related complexes through differences in their sedimentation properties. A small amount of starting material is sufficient to obtain readily assayable amounts of separated proteins after centrifugation for 8 to 12 h in a benchtop ultracentrifuge. Gradient fractions are analyzed by immunoblotting for the presence of specific components of TFIID. Sucrose gradient sedimentation is performed to separate a mixture of multiprotein complexes from a crude nuclear extract immunoprecipitation of the proteins present in each fraction with an anti-TBP antibody reveals multiple TBP-containing complexes of different sizes. Density gradient sedimentation permits separation of specific components in a complex mixture and preserves activity, allowing functional assays.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

TAF-like functions of human cytomegalovirus immediate-early proteins.

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) major immediate-early (IE) proteins IEP86 (IE2(579aa)) and IEP72 (IE1(491aa)) can transcriptionally activate a variety of simple promoters containing a TATA element and one upstream transcription factor binding site. In our previous studies, transcriptional activation was shown to correlate with IEP86 binding to both the TATA-box binding protein (TBP) and the transcription factor bound upstream. IEP72 often synergistically affects the activation by IEP86, although it has not previously been shown to directly interact in vitro with IEP86, TBP, or transcription factors (e.g., Sp1 and Tef-1) bound by IEP86. We report biochemical and genetic evidence suggesting that the major IE proteins may perform a function similar to that of the TBP-associated factors (TAFs) which make up TFIID. Consistent with this model, we found that the major IE proteins interact with a number of TAFs. In vitro, IEP86 bound with drosophila TAF(II)110 (dTAF(II)110) and human TAF(II)130 (hTAF(II)130), while IEP72 bound dTAF(II)40, dTAF(II)110, and hTAF(II)130. Regions on major IE proteins which mediate binding have been defined. In addition, our data indicate that both IEP72 and IEP86 can bind simultaneously to hTAF(II)130, suggesting that this TAF may provide bridging interactions between the two proteins for transcriptional activation and synergy. In agreement, a transcriptional activation mutant of IEP72 is unable to participate in bridging. Confirmation that these in vitro interactions were relevant was provided by data showing that both IEP72 and IEP86 copurify with TFIID and coimmunoprecipitate with purified TFIID derived from infected cell nuclei. To further support a TAF-like function of the IE proteins, we have found that the IE proteins expressed from the intact major IE gene, and to a lesser extent IEP86 alone, can rescue the temperature-sensitive (ts) transcriptional defect in TAF(II)250 in the BHK-21 cell line ts13. Analyses of mutations in the major IE region show that IEP86 is essential for rescue and that IEP72 augments its effect, and that mutations which affect TAF interactions are debilitated in rescue. Our data, showing that the IE proteins can bind with TFIID and rescue a ts transcriptional defect in TAF(II)250, support the model that the IE proteins perform a TAF-like function as components of TFIID.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning and analysis of two subunits of the human TFIID complex: hTAFII130 and hTAFII100.

Transcription factor TFIID is a multiprotein complex composed of the TATA box-binding protein (TBP) and multiple TBP-associated factors (TAFs). TFIID plays an essential role in mediating transcriptional activation by gene-specific activators. Numerous transcriptional activators have been characterized from mammalian cells; however, molecular analysis of the components of mammalian TFIID has been incomplete. Here we describe isolation of cDNAs encoding two TAF subunits of the human transcription factor TFIID. The first cDNA is predicted to encode the C-terminal 947 residues of the 130-kDa human TAF subunit, hTAFII130. The second cDNA encodes the C-terminal 801 residues of the 100-kDa subunit, hTAFII100. Recombinant TAFs expressed in human cells by transient transfections are capable of associating with the endogenous TAFs and TBP to form a TFIID complex in vivo. Protein binding experiments demonstrate that hTAFII130, like its Drosophila homolog dTAFII110, interacts with the glutamine-rich activation domains of the human transcription factor Sp1. Furthermore, hTAFII130 shows reduced binding to the Sp1 mutants with impaired ability to activate transcription, suggesting a role for hTAFII130 as a direct coactivator target for Sp1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and expression of Drosophila TAFII60 and human TAFII70 reveal conserved interactions with other subunits of TFIID.

Regulation of transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II requires TFIID, a multisubunit complex composed of the TATA binding protein (TBP) and at least seven tightly associated factors (TAFs). Some TAFs act as direct targets or coactivators for promoter-specific activators while others serve as interfaces for TAF-TAF interactions. Here, we report the molecular cloning, expression and characterization of Drosophila dTAFII60 and its human homolog, hTAFII70. Recombinant TAFII60/70 binds weakly to TBP and tightly to the largest subunit of TFIID, TAFII250. In the presence of TAFII60/70, TBP and TAFII250, a stable ternary complex is formed. Both the human and Drosophila proteins directly interact with another TFIID subunit, dTAFII40. Our findings reveal that Drosophila TAFII60 and human TAFII70 share a high degree of structural similarity and that their interactions with other subunits of TFIID are conserved.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of a temperature-sensitive mutation affecting the integration protein of Moloney murine leukemia virus.

We have previously described a series of mutations in the 3' terminus of the pol gene of Moloney murine leukemia virus which adversely affect the establishment of an integrated provirus (Roth, M. J., Schwartzberg, P., Tanese, N., and Goff, S. P., J. Virol. 64, 4709-4717, 1990). While most of the mutations were unconditionally lethal for virus replication, we now demonstrate that one mutation, in6161-12, a 12-base pair linker insertion into the 3' end of the pol gene, causes a temperature-sensitive phenotype. This mutant virus is temperature-sensitive for IN protein function as well as viral replication.

Animals↗

The TATA-binding protein and associated factors are integral components of the RNA polymerase I transcription factor, SL1.

We have previously shown that the TATA-binding protein (TBP) and multiple TBP-associated factors (TAFs) are required for regulated transcriptional initiation by RNA polymerase II. Here we report the biochemical properties of the RNA polymerase I promoter selectivity factor, SL1, and its relationship to TBP. Column chromatography and glycerol gradient sedimentation indicate that a subpopulation of TBP copurifies with SL1 activity. Antibodies directed against TBP efficiently deplete SL1 transcriptional activity, which can be restored with the SL1 fraction but not purified TBP. Thus, TBP is necessary but not sufficient to complement SL1 activity. Analysis of purified SL1 reveals a complex containing TBP and three distinct TAFs. Purified TAFs reconstituted with recombinant TBP complement SL1 activity, and this demonstrates that TBP plus novel associated factors are integral components of SL1. These findings suggest that TBP may be a universal transcription factor and that the TBP-TAF arrangement provides a unifying mechanism for promoter recognition in animal cells.

Antibodies↗

Coactivators for a proline-rich activator purified from the multisubunit human TFIID complex.

The mechanisms of transcriptional activation directed by sequence-specific regulators is central to understanding gene regulation. Here, we report the isolation of coactivators responsible for mediating transcriptional activation by Gal4-Pro, a hybrid regulator containing the proline-rich activation domain of human CTF/NFI. Chromatographic studies indicate that endogenous human TFIID consists of a multisubunit complex containing the TATA-binding protein (TBP), coactivators, and other associated factors. A fraction containing the coactivator activity was separated from the endogenous TBP after disrupting the tightly associated complex with urea. The urea-purified TBP was active for basal level transcription but no longer could support activation by Gal4-Pro. However, when the two separated components were added together, activated levels of transcription were restored in the presence of Gal4-Pro. Immunoaffinity purification of the TFIID complex identifies several polypeptides specifically associated with the endogenous TBP, some or all of which function as coactivators when reconstituted with Gal4-Pro. The isolated coactivators also mediate activation by a chimeric glutamine-rich activator derived from Sp1 but not the Gal4-VP16 activator, suggesting distinct factor requirements for different types of transcriptional regulators.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Abortive reverse transcription by mutants of Moloney murine leukemia virus deficient in the reverse transcriptase-associated RNase H function.

The reverse transcriptase enzymes of retroviruses are multifunctional proteins containing both DNA polymerase activity and a nuclease activity, termed RNase H, specific for RNA in RNA-DNA hybrid form. To determine the role of RNase H activity in retroviral replication, we constructed a series of mutant genomes of Moloney murine leukemia virus that encoded reverse transcriptase enzymes that were specifically altered to retain polymerase function but lack RNase H activity. The mutant genomes were all replication defective. Analysis of in vitro reverse transcription reactions carried out by mutant virions showed that minus-strand strong-stop DNA was formed but did not efficiently translocate to the 3' end of the genome; rather, the DNA was stably retained in RNA-DNA hybrid form. Plus-strand strong-stop DNA was not detected. These results suggest that RNase H normally promotes strong-stop translocation, perhaps by exposing single-stranded DNA sequences for base pairing. Four new DNA species were also detected among the reaction products. Analysis of these DNAs suggested that they were minus-strand DNAs formed from VL30 RNAs encoded by the mouse genome. We suggest that reverse transcriptase can initiate DNA synthesis at any one of four alternate tRNA primer-binding sites near the 5' ends of VL30 RNAs.

Animals↗