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C Ducret

Publications and source records attributed to C Ducret.

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The ternary complex factor Net contains two distinct elements that mediate different responses to MAP kinase signalling cascades.

The ternary complex factors (TCFs), Elk-1, Sap-1a and Net, are key integrators of the transcriptional response to different signalling pathways. Classically, three MAP kinase pathways, involving ERK, JNK, and p38, transduce various extracellular stimuli to the nucleus. Net is a repressor that is converted into an activator by Ras/ERK signalling. Net is also exported from the nucleus in response to stress stimuli transduced through the JNK pathway, leading to relief from repression. Here we show that ERK and p38 bind to the D box and that binding is required for phosphorylation of the adjacent C-terminally located C-domain. The D box as well as the phosphorylation sites in the C-domain (the DC element) are required for transcription activation by Ras. On the other hand, JNK binds to the J box in the middle of the protein, and binding is required for phosphorylation of the adjacent EXport motif. Both the binding and phosphorylation sites (the JEX element) are important for Net export. In conclusion, specific targeting of Net by MAP kinase pathways involves two different docking sites and phosphorylation of two different domains. These two elements, DC and JEX, mediate two distinct functional responses.

3T3 Cells↗

Net, a negative Ras-switchable TCF, contains a second inhibition domain, the CID, that mediates repression through interactions with CtBP and de-acetylation.

Signalling cascades are integrated at the transcriptional level by the interplay between factors such as the ternary complex factors (TCFs) that interact with serum response factor (SRF) and the serum response element (SRE) of the fos promoter. Net is a negative TCF that is switched to a positive regulator by the Ras signal. To understand the mechanisms of repression by Net, we used a yeast two-hybrid screen to identify factors that interact with its inhibitory domain. We isolated mCtBP1, the murine homologue of huCtBP1, a factor implicated in negative regulation of transformation by E1A plus Ras. We show that mCtBP1 interacts strongly with Net both in vitro and in vivo. The CtBP interaction domain of Net, the CID, mediates repression independently of the previously identified negative element, the NID. The CID inhibits by recruiting the co-repressor mCtBP1. The CID and mCtBP1 need to use de-acetylase activity for repression, whereas the NID apparently represses by other mechanisms. Finally, we provide evidence that CtBP and de-acetylation repress the c-fos SRE in low serum when it is inactive, but not in high serum when it is active. These results provide insights into the cross-talk between pathways that inhibit and stimulate transformation at the level of Net, a regulator of gene expression.

Acetylation↗

The net repressor is regulated by nuclear export in response to anisomycin, UV, and heat shock.

The ternary complex factors (TCFs) are targets for Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathways. They integrate the transcriptional response at the level of serum response elements in early-response genes, such as the c-fos proto-oncogene. An important aim is to understand the individual roles played by the three TCFs, Net, Elk1, and Sap1a. Net, in contrast to Elk1 and Sap1a, is a strong repressor of transcription. We now show that Net is regulated by nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling in response to specific signalling pathways. Net is mainly nuclear under both normal and basal serum conditions. Net contains two nuclear localization signals (NLSs); one is located in the Ets domain, and the other corresponds to the D box. Net also has a nuclear export signal (NES) in the conserved Ets DNA binding domain. Net is apparently unique among Ets proteins in that a particular leucine in helix 1, a structural element, generates a NES. Anisomycin, UV, and heat shock induce active nuclear exclusion of Net through a pathway that involves c-Jun N-terminal kinase kinase and is inhibited by leptomycin B. Nuclear exclusion relieves transcriptional repression by Net. The specific induction of nuclear exclusion of Net by particular signalling pathways shows that nuclear-cytoplasmic transport of transcription factors can add to the specificity of the response to signalling cascades.

Amino Acid Motifs↗