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The large subunit of replication factor C interacts with the histone deacetylase, HDAC1.

Replication factor C (RFC) is a pentameric complex of five distinct subunits that functions as a clamp loader, facilitating the loading of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) onto DNA during replication and repair. More recently the large subunit of RFC, RFC (p140), has been found to interact with the retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor and the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBP alpha) transcription factor. We now report that RFC (p140) associates with histone deacetylase activity and interacts with histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1). This complex is functional and when targeted to promoters as a Gal4 fusion, RFC (p140) is a strong, deacetylase-dependent repressor of transcription. Further analysis revealed that RFC (p140) contains two distinct transcriptional repression domains. Moreover, both of these domains interact separately with HDAC1.

Base Sequence↗

The histone deacetylase 9 gene encodes multiple protein isoforms.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) perform an important function in transcriptional regulation by modifying the core histones of the nucleosome. We have now fully characterized a new member of the Class II HDAC family, HDAC9. The enzyme contains a conserved deacetylase domain, represses reporter activity when recruited to a promoter, and utilizes histones H3 and H4 as substrates in vitro and in vivo. HDAC9 is expressed in a tissue-specific pattern that partially overlaps that of HDAC4. Within the human hematopoietic system, expression of HDAC9 is biased toward cells of monocytic and lymphoid lineages. The HDAC9 gene encodes multiple protein isoforms, some of which display distinct cellular localization patterns. For example, full-length HDAC9 is localized in the nucleus, but the isoform lacking the region encoded by exon 7 is in the cytoplasm. HDAC9 interacts and co-localizes in vivo with a number of transcriptional repressors and co-repressors, including TEL and N-CoR, whose functions have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies. These results suggest that HDAC9 plays a role in hematopoiesis; its deregulated expression may be associated with some human cancers.

Alternative Splicing↗

HoxA10 represses gene transcription in undifferentiated myeloid cells by interaction with histone deacetylase 2.

The homeodomain proteins, HoxA10 and Pbx1a, interact with negative cis elements to repress gene transcription in undifferentiated myeloid cells. The CYBB and NCF2 genes, which encode the gp91PHOX and p67PHOX proteins, are two such HoxA10-Pbx1a target genes. In previous studies, we found that HoxA10-Pbx1a represses transcription of these genes by two mechanisms: competition for DNA binding with transcriptional activators and endogenous repression activity. In these studies, we identify a novel molecular mechanism of endogenous transcriptional repression by HoxA10-Pbx1a. Endogenous repression activity of other Hox-Pbx1a complexes requires recruitment of transcriptional co-repressor proteins by Pbx1a. In contrast, our investigations have determined that HoxA10 has Pbx1a-independent endogenous repression activity. We find that this transcriptional repression activity is abrogated by histone deacetylase inhibitors, suggesting involvement of co-repressor proteins. Consistent with this, we identify HoxA10 amino acids 224-249 as a Pbx1-independent repression domain, which interacts with histone deacetylase 2. We have determined that this HoxA10 domain is not conserved with other Abd Hox proteins, although homology exists with other transcription factors and co-repressors. Understanding the roles different Hox proteins play in myeloid differentiation is a challenging problem. Our results suggest that insight into this problem can be obtained from biochemical characterization of the various molecular mechanisms of Hox protein function.

Blotting, Northern↗

Hox transcription factor ultrabithorax Ib physically and genetically interacts with disconnected interacting protein 1, a double-stranded RNA-binding protein.

The Hox protein family consists of homeodomain-containing transcription factors that are primary determinants of cell fate during animal development. Specific Hox function appears to rely on protein-protein interactions; however, the partners involved in these interactions and their function are largely unknown. Disconnected Interacting Protein 1 (DIP1) was isolated in a yeast two-hybrid screen of a 0-12-h Drosophila embryo library designed to identify proteins that interact with Ultrabithorax (Ubx), a Drosophila Hox protein. The Ubx.DIP1 physical interaction was confirmed using phage display, immunoprecipitation, pull-down assays, and gel retardation analysis. Ectopic expression of DIP1 in wing and haltere imaginal discs malforms the adult structures and enhances a decreased Ubx expression phenotype, establishing a genetic interaction. Ubx can generate a ternary complex by simultaneously binding its target DNA and DIP1. A large region of Ubx, including the repression domain, is required for interaction with DIP1. These more variable sequences may be key to the differential Hox function observed in vivo. The Ubx.DIP1 interaction prevents transcriptional activation by Ubx in a modified yeast one-hybrid assay, suggesting that DIP1 may modulate transcriptional regulation by Ubx. The DIP1 sequence contains two dsRNA-binding domains, and DIP1 binds double-stranded RNA with a 1000-fold higher affinity than either single-stranded RNA or double-stranded DNA. The strong interaction of Ubx with an RNA-binding protein suggests a wider range of proteins may influence Ubx function than previously appreciated.

Animals↗

The role and mechanism of diacylglycerol-protein kinase C1 signaling in melanogenesis by Cryptococcus neoformans.

The fungus Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic human pathogen that causes a life-threatening meningoencephalitis by expression of virulence factors such as melanin, a black pigment produced by the cell wall-associated enzyme laccase. In previous studies (Heung, L. J., Luberto, C., Plowden, A., Hannun, Y. A., and Del Poeta, M. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 21144-21153) we proposed that the sphingolipid enzyme inositol-phosphoryl ceramide synthase 1 (Ipc1) regulates melanin production through the generation of diacylglycerol (DAG), which was found to activate in vitro protein kinase C1 (Pkc1). Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms by which DAG regulates Pkc1 in vivo and the effect of this regulation on laccase activity and melanin synthesis. To this end we deleted the putative DAG binding C1 domain of C. neoformans Pkc1 and found that the C1 deletion abolished the activation of Pkc1 by DAG. Deletion of the C1 domain repressed laccase activity and, consequently, melanin production. Finally, we show that these biological effects observed in the C1 deletion mutant are mediated by alteration of cell wall integrity and displacement of laccase from the cell wall. These studies define novel molecular mechanisms addressing Pkc1-laccase regulation by the sphingolipid pathway of C. neoformans, with important implications for understanding and targeting the Ipc1-Pkc1-laccase cascade as a regulator of virulence of this important human pathogen.

Base Sequence↗

Expression and regulation of the transcriptional repressor ZNF43 in Ewing sarcoma cells.

In vitro, cells derived from Ewing sarcoma (ES) with the characteristic somatic rearrangement between the genes EWS and FLII can be induced to differentiate toward a neuronal phenotype by exposure to agents such as dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db cAMP) or retinoic acid. Therefore, expression of the chimeric Ews-Flil protein does not irreversibly block the capacity of Ewing cells to engage in the neuronal differentiation program initiated by these agents. To identify genes that might be involved in the maintenance of Ewing cells in their undifferentiated state, a PCR-based differential display method was used to compare gene expression patterns in Ewing cell lines with those induced to differentiate toward a neuronal phenotype. A cDNA was expressed at high levels in proliferating Ewing-derived EW-1 cells and downregulated in EW-1 cells induced to differentiate, which corresponds to ZNF43, a multi-zinc finger protein containing the Krüppel-associated box (KRAB) transcriptional repression domain. Treatment of EW-1 cells with antisense oligonucleotides complementary to ZNF43 mRNA induces morphological differentiation and growth arrest. These findings suggest a role for ZNF43 in the maintenance of ES cells in an undifferentiated state, and that ZNF43 could be a primary target for differentiation stimuli in Ewing cells.

Blotting, Northern↗

Diagnostic testing for Rett syndrome by DHPLC and direct sequencing analysis of the MECP2 gene: identification of several novel mutations and polymorphisms.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked dominant neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1/10,000-15,000 girls. The disease-causing gene was identified as MECP2 on chromosome Xq28, and mutations have been found in approximately 80% of patients diagnosed with RTT. Numerous mutations have been identified in de novo and rare familial cases, and they occur primarily in the methyl-CpG-binding and transcriptional-repression domains of MeCP2. Our first diagnostic strategy used bidirectional sequencing of the entire MECP2 coding region. Subsequently, we implemented a two-tiered strategy that used denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) for initial screening of nucleotide variants, followed by confirmatory sequencing analysis. If a definite mutation was not identified, then the entire MECP2 coding region was sequenced, to reduce the risk of false negatives. Collectively, we tested 228 unrelated female patients with a diagnosis of possible (209) or classic (19) RTT and found MECP2 mutations in 83 (40%) of 209 and 16 (84%) of 19 of the patients, respectively. Thirty-two different mutations were identified (8 missense, 9 nonsense, 1 splice site, and 14 frameshifts), of which 12 are novel and 9 recurrent in unrelated patients. Seven unclassified variants and eight polymorphisms were detected in 228 probands. Interestingly, we found that T203M, previously reported as a missense mutation in an autistic patient, is actually a benign polymorphism, according to parental analysis performed in a second case identified in this study. These findings highlight the complexities of missense variant interpretation and emphasize the importance of parental DNA analysis for establishing an etiologic relation between a possible mutation and disease. Overall, we found a 98.8% concordance rate between DHPLC and sequence analyses. One mutation initially missed by the DHPLC screening was identified by sequencing. Modified conditions subsequently enabled its detection, underscoring the need for multiple optimized conditions for DHPLC analysis. We conclude that this two-tiered approach provides a sensitive, robust, and efficient strategy for RTT molecular diagnosis.

Alleles↗

Regulated nuclear translocation of the Mig1 glucose repressor.

Glucose represses the transcription of many genes in bakers yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Mig1 is a Cys2-His2 zinc finger protein that mediates glucose repression of several genes by binding to their promoters and recruiting the general repression complex Ssn6-Tup1. We have found that the subcellular localization of Mig1 is regulated by glucose. Mig1 is imported into the nucleus within minutes after the addition of glucose and is just as rapidly transported back to the cytoplasm when glucose is removed. This regulated nuclear localization requires components of the glucose repression signal transduction pathway. An internal region of the protein separate from the DNA binding and repression domains is necessary and sufficient for glucose-regulated nuclear import and export. Changes in the phosphorylation status of Mig1 are coincident with the changes in its localization, suggesting a possible regulatory role for phosphorylation. Our results suggest that a glucose-regulated nuclear import and/or export mechanism controls the activity of Mig1.

DNA-Binding Proteins↗

Constitutive silencing of IFN-beta promoter is mediated by NRF (NF-kappaB-repressing factor), a nuclear inhibitor of NF-kappaB.

Transcriptional regulation of the interferon-beta (IFN-beta) gene is characterized by strict constitutive repression and virus-specific activation. Previous studies have shown that the IFN-beta promoter is constitutively repressed by a negative regulatory element (NRE). Isolated NRE acts as a constitutive and position-independent silencer on the NF-kappaB-binding sites. Here, we describe the identification and functional characterization of the NRE-binding protein, called NRF (NF-kappaB-repressing factor), which abolishes the transcriptional activity of the bordering NF-kappaB- binding sites by a distance-independent mechanism. Deletion studies show that a minimal repression domain of NRF is sufficient to exert its inhibitory effect. In vitro, NF-kappaB proteins bind to purified NRF by a direct protein-protein interaction. We demonstrate that NRF is a ubiquitous and constitutive nuclear protein. In fibroblasts, the expression of the NRF antisense RNA releases the endogenous IFN-beta gene transcription. Our data strongly suggest that the NRF-mediated inhibition of NF-kappaB is a critical component of the IFN-beta gene silencing prior to viral infection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Derepression of DNA damage-regulated genes requires yeast TAF(II)s.

The general transcription factor TFIID and its individual subunits (TAF(II)s) have been the focus of many studies, yet their functions in vivo are not well established. Here we characterize the requirement of yeast TAF(II)s for the derepression of the ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) genes. Promoter mapping studies revealed that the upstream repressing sequences, the damage-responsive elements (DREs), rendered these genes dependent upon TAF(II)s. DREs are the binding sites for the sequence-specific DNA binding-protein Crt1 that represses transcription by recruiting the Ssn6-Tup1 co-repressor complex to the promoter. We demonstrate that deletion of SSN6, TUP1 or CRT1 alleviated the TAF(II) dependence of the RNR genes, indicating that TAF(II) dependence requires the co-repressor complex. Furthermore, we provide evidence that Crt1 specifies the TAF(II) dependence of these genes. Our studies show that TFIID interacts with the repression domain of Crt1, suggesting that the derepression mechanism involves an antagonism between TFIID and the co-repressor complex. Our results indicate that yeast TAF(II)s have other functions in addition to core promoter selectivity, and describe a novel activity: the derepression of promoters.

DNA Damage↗

Transcriptional repression by AtMYB4 controls production of UV-protecting sunscreens in Arabidopsis.

An Arabidopsis thaliana line that is mutant for the R2R3 MYB gene, AtMYB4, shows enhanced levels of sinapate esters in its leaves. The mutant line is more tolerant of UV-B irradiation than wild type. The increase in sinapate ester accumulation in the mutant is associated with an enhanced expression of the gene encoding cinnamate 4-hydroxylase, which appears to be the principal target of AtMYB4 and an effective rate limiting step in the synthesis of sinapate ester sunscreens. AtMYB4 expression is downregulated by exposure to UV-B light, indicating that derepression is an important mechanism for acclimation to UV-B in A.thaliana. The response of target genes to AtMYB4 repression is dose dependent, a feature that operates under physiological conditions to reinforce the silencing effect of AtMYB4 at high activity. AtMYB4 works as a repressor of target gene expression and includes a repression domain. It belongs to a novel group of plant R2R3 MYB proteins involved in transcriptional silencing. The balance between MYB activators and repressors on common target promoters may provide extra flexibility in transcriptional control.

Arabidopsis↗

Groucho suppresses Pax2 transactivation by inhibition of JNK-mediated phosphorylation.

Pax proteins are DNA-binding transcription factors that regulate embryonic development through the activation and repression of downstream target genes. The Pax2 gene is absolutely required for kidney development and for patterning specific regions of the nervous system such as the eye, ear and hindbrain. The Pax2/5/8 family of proteins contains both transcription activation and repression domains. The activation domain of Pax2 is phosphorylated by the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) to enhance Pax2-dependent transcription. In this report, we demonstrate that the Groucho/TLE family protein, Grg4, interacts with Pax2 to suppress transactivation. Grg4 is able to specifically inhibit phosphorylation of the Pax2 activation domain, even in the presence of activated JNK. Furthermore, the Grg4 interaction and suppression of phosphorylation depends on Pax2 binding to its target DNA sequence and is independent of histone deacetylation. These data suggest a new model for Groucho mediated suppression of transcription through the specific inhibition of modifications in the activation domain of a transactivator.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

In vitro analysis of partial loss-of-function ZIC2 mutations in holoprosencephaly: alanine tract expansion modulates DNA binding and transactivation.

Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in ZIC2 result in the severe brain malformation known as holoprosencephaly (HPE), indicating that forebrain development is exquisitely sensitive to the activity of this poorly understood transcription factor. To identify the regions of ZIC2 that are essential for activity, we have assessed the ability of a variety of ZIC2 mutant proteins to function in in vitro assays. Two sources of information were used to design relevant mutations. First, phenotype producing mutations in human and in mouse ZIC2 were mimicked and secondly, a comparative sequence analysis of the C-terminal was carried out. Analysis of these mutations suggests that either a decrease or an increase in ZIC2 mediated transcriptional activity can produce a forebrain phenotype. In addition, the analysis reveals that the C-terminal of ZIC2 contains both activation and repression domains. This region of ZIC2 contains an alanine-tract, and expansion of this domain is associated with HPE. In vitro analysis of proteins with alterations in alanine-tract length illustrates that the C-terminal alanine-tract of ZIC2 influences the strength of DNA binding and alters transcriptional activity in a promoter-specific manner. This finding provides a possible mechanism by which alanine-tract expansion mutations could alter the function of other transcription factors.

Alanine↗

Identification of the transactivating region of the homeodomain protein, hex.

The homeodomain-containing protein Hex acts as an activator as well as a repressor of transcription in animals. While its repression domain has been mapped to the amino-terminal region, the activation domain has never been identified. Here, we show that the homeodomain and the acidic carboxyl-terminal region are necessary for full activation of the sodium-dependent bile acid cotransporter gene promoter in a cell type-independent manner, suggesting that the carboxyl-terminal region comprising residues 197 to 271 functions as the activation domain. In addition, we observed that a Hex mutant without this activation domain acts as a dominant-negative mutant as to the transactivating function of Hex.

Animals↗

Chromatin structure mapping in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in vivo with DNase I.

Most methods for assessment of chromatin structure involve chemical or nuclease damage to DNA followed by analysis of distribution and susceptibility of cutting sites. The agents used generally do not permeate cells, making nuclear isolation mandatory. In vivo mapping strategies might allow detection of labile constituents and/or structures that are lost when chromatin is swollen in isolated nuclei at low ionic strengths. DNase I has been the most widely used enzyme to detect chromatin sites where DNA is active in transcription, replication or recombination. We have introduced the bovine DNase I gene into yeast under control of a galactose-responsive promoter. Expression of the nuclease leads to DNA degradation and cell death. Shorter exposure to the active enzyme allows mapping of chromatin structure in whole cells without isolation of nuclei. The validity and efficacy of the strategy are demonstrated by footprinting a labile repressor bound to its operator. Investigation of the inter-nucleosome linker regions in several types of repressed domains has revealed different degrees of protection in cells, relative to isolated nuclei.

Animals↗

Antizyme frameshifting as a functional probe of eukaryotic translational termination.

Translation termination in eukaryotes is mediated by the release factors eRF1 and eRF3, but mechanisms of the interplay between these factors are not fully understood, due partly to the difficulty of measuring termination on eukaryotic mRNAs. Here, we describe an in vitro system for the assay of termination using competition with programmed frameshifting at the recoding signal of mammalian antizyme. The efficiency of antizyme frameshifting in rabbit reticulocyte lysates was reduced by addition of recombinant rabbit eRF1 and eRF3 in a synergistic manner. Addition of suppressor tRNA to this assay system revealed competition with a third event, stop codon readthrough. Using these assays, we demonstrated that an eRF3 mutation at the GTPase domain repressed termination in a dominant negative fashion probably by binding to eRF1. The effect of the release factors and the suppressor tRNA showed that the stop codon at the antizyme frameshift site is relatively inefficient compared to either the natural termination signals at the end of protein coding sequences or the readthrough signal from a plant virus. The system affords a convenient assay for release factor activity and has provided some novel views of the mechanism of antizyme frameshifting.

Animals↗

Identification and characterization of a Drosophila homologue of the yeast UBC9 and hus5 genes.

The yeast UBC9 and hus5 gene products have been identified as putative E2 members of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (UBC) family and have been shown to play an essential role in cell cycle progression. We have identified a Drosophila Ubc9/Hus5 homologue (termed dUBC9) in an attempt to identify proteins that interact with the amino-terminal transcriptional repression domain of the Groucho corepressor by use of the yeast two-hybrid system. The predicted dUBC9 protein consists of 159 amino acids and shows 85, 68, and 54% amino acid sequence identities with human UBC9 homologue, Schizosaccharomyces pombe Hus5, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ubc9 proteins, respectively. Expression of dUBC9 cDNA complements a temperature-sensitive ubc9-1 mutation of S. cerevisiae to fully restore normal growth, indicating that the dUBC9 protein can act as a substitute for the yeast Ubc9 protein. The dUBC9 transcripts were about 1.2 kb and were detected at all stages of Drosophila development and in ovaries and Schneider cells. However, an increased level was observed in early embryos and ovaries. The dUBC9 gene is present as a single copy in the genome and localized in segment 21C-D on the left arm of the second chromosome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A chimeric AtMYB23 repressor induces hairy roots, elongation of leaves and stems, and inhibition of the deposition of mucilage on seed coats in Arabidopsis.

We reported previously that a chimeric repressor, in which a transcription factor was fused to the EAR motif repression domain, acted as a dominant repressor and suppressed the expression of target genes, such that resultant phenotypes were similar to those associated with loss-of-function alleles. We report here that expression of the chimeric AtMYB23 repressor induced a variety of morphological changes, namely the ectopic formation of root hairs, a short primary root, elongation of leaves and of inflorescence stems, and absence of the accumulation of mucilage on seed coats, in addition to disruption of the development of trichomes. The short primary root and the elongation of leaves and stems appeared to be due to the reduced and enhanced lengthwise expansion, respectively, of epidermal cells. Expression of the GL2 gene, which is involved in the formation of root hairs and the accumulation of mucilage, was suppressed in both the roots and siliques of the transgenic plants. In contrast, the expression of genes related to cell elongation, such as DWF1, SAUR, AQP, AGP15, DET3 and XET-1, was enhanced in leaves of the transgenic plants. Results suggest that the AtMYB23 transcription factor has the molecular function of regulating the development of epidermal cells not only in leaves but also in stems, roots and seeds. We describe that this type of chimeric repressor can be exploited as a useful tool for the functional analysis of redundant transcription factors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗