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A CELD-fusion method for rapid determination of the DNA-binding sequence specificity of novel plant DNA-binding proteins.

The current focus of many functional genomic studies is on the elucidation of gene regulatory networks. The functional analyses of transcription factors and their DNA-binding sites, in conjunction with genome-wide expression profiling, are crucial in understanding of gene regulatory networks. This paper describes an efficient and easy method for characterizing the DNA-binding sequence specificity of novel plant transcription factors. This new method is based on the fusion of a DNA-binding protein (DBP) to 6xHis-tagged cellulase D (CELD), which serves both as a means for affinity purification of DBP-DNA complex in the selection of binding sites from a pool of biotinylated random-sequence oligonucleotides and as a reporter for measurement of DNA-binding activity. Thus, it eliminates the use of radioactivity and gel electrophoresis techniques currently used for purification of DBP-DNA complexes and assays of DNA-binding activity. The effectiveness of this method was demonstrated by the success of simultaneous selection of the binding sites of nine plant DBPs from four superfamilies (AP2, bHLH, NAC and MYB). The high-throughput capacity of CELD-based DNA-binding assays allows the quantitative analysis of the binding sequence specificity from a large number of DBP-selected oligonucleotides. The binding sequence specificity of three novel transcription factors (rice OsbHLH66, wheat TaNAC69 and TaMYB80), determined with this method, is presented. This new method provides the capacity of high-throughput analysis on the DNA-binding sequence specificity of a large number of putative transcription factors, predicted on the basis of conserved DNA-binding domains.

Base Sequence↗

Lupus autoantibodies to native DNA preferentially bind DNA presented on PolIV.

While immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to double-stranded (ds)DNA are serological markers of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), not all antibodies to DNA (anti-DNA) are able to cause tissue damage to a similar extent. It has been proposed that anti-DNA-induced renal damage could be linked to differences in the fine specificity of the antibodies. In an attempt to gain insight into their fine binding properties, we investigated the cross-reactivity of two human lupus monoclonal IgG anti-dsDNA (B3 and RH14) to a recently described Escherichia coli PolIV (a DNA polymerase). These autoantibodies possess distinct pathogenic properties in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Although both antibodies cause proteinuria, only RH14 induces early histological features of lupus nephritis. Both RH14 and B3 bound PolIV; however, they exhibited a marked difference in their reactivity to the PolIV-dsDNA complex. Alhough RH14 exhibited significant activity to the complex, the binding of B3 to PolIV complexed with dsDNA was almost abolished. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the way the lupus sera recognized naked dsDNA and that presented on PolIV. Although 67% of lupus sera bound naked dsDNA, approximately 90% of these sera (93% calf thymus DNA; 90% synthetic oligonucleotide) reacted to the complex when dsDNA was presented on PolIV. Thus, the IgG anti-dsDNA likely to exist in lupus patients may be distinguished into those that recognize dsDNA in the context of PolIV and those which do not. This difference in binding ability may help to distinguish those dsDNA antibodies that are more pathogenic.

Adult↗

Physiological and biochemical defects in functional interactions of mitochondrial DNA polymerase and DNA-binding mutants of single-stranded DNA-binding protein.

Functional interactions between mitochondrial DNA polymerase (pol gamma) and mitochondrial single-stranded DNA-binding protein (mtSSB) from Drosophila embryos greatly enhance the overall activity of pol gamma by increasing primer recognition and binding and stimulating the rate of initiation of DNA strands (Farr, C. L., Wang, Y., and Kaguni, L. S. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 14779-14785). We show here that DNA-binding mutants of mtSSB are defective in stimulation of DNA synthesis by pol gamma. RNAi knock-down of mtSSB reduces expression to <5% of its normal level in Schneider cells, resulting in growth defects and in the depletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Overexpression of mtSSB restores cell growth rate and the copy number of mtDNA, whereas overexpression of a DNA-binding and functionally impaired form of mtSSB neither rescues the cell growth defect nor the mtDNA depletion phenotype. Further development of Drosophila animal models, in which induced mtDNA depletion is manipulated by controlling exogenous expression of wild-type or mutant forms, will offer new insight into the mechanism and progression of human mtDNA depletion syndromes and possible intervention schemes.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Differential impact of ionic and coordinate covalent chromium (Cr)-DNA binding on DNA replication.

The reactive species produced by the reduction of Cr(VI), particularly Cr(III), can form both ionic and coordinate covalent complexes with DNA. These Cr(III)-DNA interactions consist of Cr-DNA monoadducts, Cr-DNA ternary adducts, and Cr-DNA interstrand cross-links (Cr-ICLs), the latter of which are DNA polymerase arresting lesions (PALs). We sought to determine the impact of Cr-DNA interactions on the formation of replication blocking lesions in S. cerevisiae using a PCR-based method. We found that target sequence (TS) amplification using DNA isolated from Cr(VI)-treated yeast actually increased as a function of Cr(VI) concentration. Moreover, the enhanced TS amplification was reproduced in vitro using Cr(III)-treated DNA. In contrast, PCR amplification of TS from DNA isolated from yeast exposed to equitoxic doses of the inorganic DNA cross-linking agent cisplatin (CDDP), was decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. This paradox suggested that a specific Cr-DNA interaction, such as an ionic Cr-DNA complex, was responsible for the enhanced TS amplification, thereby masking the replication-blocking effect of certain ternary Cr-DNA adducts (i.e. interstrand cross-links). To test this possibility, we removed ionically associated Cr from the DNA using salt extraction prior to PCR analysis. This procedure obviated the increased amplification and revealed a dose-dependent decrease in TS amplification and an increase in Cr-PALs. These data from DNA analyzed ex vivo after treatment of intact cells indicate that ionic interactions of Cr with DNA result in increased DNA amplification whereas coordinate-covalent Cr-DNA complexes lead to formation of Cr-PALs. Thus, these results suggest that treatment of living cells with Cr(VI) leads to two modes of Cr-binding, which may have conflicting effects on DNA replication.

Carcinogens↗

DNA binding and uptake by nuclei isolated from plant protoplasts: factors affecting DNA binding and uptake.

DNA binding and uptake by nuclei isolated from soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) protoplasts were investigated using radioactive homogeneous DNA prepared from soybean cells. DNA binding to nuclei was found to decrease drastically with increased incubation time. Total uptake and acid-precipitable uptake reached a maximum after 20 minutes of incubation. Optimum DNA binding and uptake occurred at pH 6 and the process was enhanced by increasing the incubation temperature to 40 C. Salmonella typhimurium DNA and poly ([dA-dT]-[dA-dT]) competitively inhibited DNA binding whereas calf thymus DNA was less competitive; however, Micrococcus lysodeikticus DNA stimulated DNA binding and tobacco mosaic virus RNA had no effect. DNA binding and uptake was enhanced by addition of Mg ions, Ca ions, poly-l-lysine, and ATP. Increasing amounts of EDTA appeared to decrease DNA binding. Pronase strongly inhibited DNA binding and uptake.

Journal Article↗

Zinc fingers in sex determination: only one of the two C. elegans Tra-1 proteins binds DNA in vitro.

The tra-1 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans is a major developmental regulator that promotes female development. Two mRNAs are expressed from the tra-1 locus as a result of alternative mRNA processing. One mRNA encodes a protein with five zinc fingers and the other a protein with only the first two zinc fingers. We have derived a preferred in vitro DNA binding site for the five finger protein by selection from random oligonucleotides. The two finger protein does not bind to DNA in vitro. Moreover, removal of the first two fingers from the five finger protein does not eliminate binding and has little effect on its preferred binding site. We find that a protein sequence amino-terminal to the finger domain also appears to play a role in DNA binding.

Alternative Splicing↗

Characterization of the DNA-binding properties of the myeloid zinc finger protein MZF1: two independent DNA-binding domains recognize two DNA consensus sequences with a common G-rich core.

The myeloid zinc finger gene 1, MZF1, encodes a transcription factor which is expressed in hematopoietic progenitor cells that are committed to myeloid lineage differentiation. MZF1 contains 13 C2H2 zinc fingers arranged in two domains which are separated by a short glycine- and proline-rich sequence. The first domain consists of zinc fingers 1 to 4, and the second domain is formed by zinc fingers 5 to 13. We have determined that both sets of zinc finger domains bind DNA. Purified, recombinant MZF1 proteins containing either the first set of zinc fingers or the second set were prepared and used to affinity select DNA sequences from a library of degenerate oligonucleotides by using successive rounds of gel shift followed by PCR amplification. Surprisingly, both DNA-binding domains of MZF1 selected similar DNA-binding consensus sequences containing a core of four or five guanine residues, reminiscent of an NF-kappa B half-site: 1-4, 5'-AGTGGGGA-3'; 5-13, 5'-CGGGnGAGGGGGAA-3'. The full-length MZF1 protein containing both sets of zinc finger DNA-binding domains recognizes synthetic oligonucleotides containing either the 1-4 or 5-13 consensus binding sites in gel shift assays. Thus, we have identified the core DNA consensus binding sites for each of the two DNA-binding domains of a myeloid-specific zinc finger transcription factor. Identification of these DNA-binding sites will allow us to identify target genes regulated by MZF1 and to assess the role of MZF1 as a transcriptional regulator of hematopoiesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The DNA binding protein Tfx from Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum: structure, DNA binding properties and transcriptional regulation.

In Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum, the fmdECB operon encoding the molybdenum formyl-methanofuran dehydrogenase is directly preceded by an open reading frame tfx predicted to encode a DNA binding protein. The 16.1 kDa protein has an N-terminal basic domain with a helix-turn-helix motif for DNA binding and a C-terminal acidic domain possibly for transcriptional activation. We report here on the DNA binding properties of the Tfx protein heterologously overproduced in Escherichia coli. Tfx was found to bind specifically to a DNA sequence downstream of the promoter of the fmdECB operon, as shown by electrophoretic mobility shift assays and DNase I footprint analysis. Northern blot hybridizations revealed that transcription of tfx is repressed during the growth of M. thermoautotrophicum in the presence of tung-state. Based on its structure and properties, the DNA binding protein Tfx is proposed to be a transcriptional regulator composed of a basic DNA binding domain and an acidic activation domain.

Archaeal Proteins↗

Localization of the herpes simplex virus type 1 65-kilodalton DNA-binding protein and DNA polymerase in the presence and absence of viral DNA synthesis.

Using indirect immunofluorescence, well-characterized monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, and temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of herpes simplex virus type 1, we demonstrated that the 65-kilodalton DNA-binding protein (65KDBP), the major DNA-binding protein (infected cell polypeptide 8 [ICP8]), and the viral DNA polymerase (Pol) colocalize to replication compartments in the nuclei of infected cells under conditions which permit viral DNA synthesis. When viral DNA synthesis was blocked by incubation of the wild-type virus with phosphonoacetic acid, the 65KDBP, Pol, and ICP8 failed to localize to replication compartments. Instead, ICP8 accumulated nearly exclusively to prereplication sites, while the 65KDBP was only diffusely localized within the nuclei. Although some of the Pol accumulated in prereplication sites occupied by ICP8 in the presence of phosphonoacetic acid, a significant amount of Pol also was distributed throughout the nuclei. Examination by double-labeling immunofluorescence of DNA- ts mutant virus-infected cells revealed that the 65KDBP also did not colocalize with ICP8 to prereplication sites at temperatures nonpermissive for virus replication. These results are in disagreement with the hypothesis that ICP8 is the major organizational protein responsible for attracting other replication protein to prereplication sites in preparation for viral DNA synthesis (A. de Bruyn Kops and D. M. Knipe, Cell 55:857-868, 1988), and they suggest that other viral proteins, perhaps in addition to ICP8, or replication fork progression per se are required to organize the 65KDBP.

Animals↗

Human centromere protein C (CENP-C) is a DNA-binding protein which possesses a novel DNA-binding motif.

Mammalian centromere proteins (CENPs) can be divided into those that translocate from centromere to midzone in the progress of mitosis, and those that remain at the centromere throughout the cell cycle. The latter including CENP-A, CENP-B, and CENP-C is the candidate for DNA-binding protein. CENP-B has been shown previously to possess the specific DNA-binding activity to 17-base pair sequences dispersed on human centromeric alphoid repeats. In this study, we examined DNA-binding property of CENP-C that is localized to inner kinetochore plate of the metaphase chromosome. We independently isolated a full-length cDNA encoding human CENP-C and expressed it as the polypeptide tagged with histidine oligomer in Escherichia coli. After affinity purification with Ni(2+)-chelated resin, DNA-binding activity of the recombinant CENP-C renatured on the membrane was demonstrated by using human genomic DNA and an alphoid subfamily in South-Western-type blotting analysis. By constructing a series of truncated products, the DNA-binding domain was located at an internal 101-amino-acid stretch with no apparent homology to any other DNA-binding proteins. This may suggest that CENP-C is directly involved in formation of kinetochore chromatin fibers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The CTXphi repressor RstR binds DNA cooperatively to form tetrameric repressor-operator complexes.

CTX is a filamentous bacteriophage that encodes cholera toxin and integrates into the Vibrio cholerae genome to form stable lysogens. In CTX lysogens, gene expression originating from the rstA phage promoter is repressed by the phage-encoded repressor RstR. The N-terminal region of RstR contains a helix-turn-helix DNA-binding element similar to the helix-turn-helix of the cI/Cro family of phage repressors, whereas the short C-terminal region is unrelated to the oligomerization domain of cI repressor. Purified His-tagged RstR bound to three extended 50-bp operator sites in the rstA promoter region. Each of the RstR footprints exhibited a characteristic staggered pattern of DNase I-accessible regions that suggested RstR binds DNA as a dimer-of-dimers. In gel permeation chromatography and cross-linking experiments, RstR oligomerized to form dimers and tetramers. RstR was shown to be tetrameric when bound to operator DNA by performing mobility shift experiments with mixtures of RstR and a lengthened active variant of RstR. Binding of RstR to the high affinity O1 site could be fit to a cooperative model of operator binding in which two RstR dimers associate to form tetrameric RstR-operator complexes. The binding of RstR dimers to the left or right halves of O1 operator DNA was not observed in mobility shift assays. These observations support a model in which protein-protein contacts between neighboring RstR dimers contribute to strong operator binding.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Highly repeated sites in the apolipoprotein(a) gene recognized by methylated DNA-binding protein, a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein.

Methylated DNA-binding protein (MDBP), a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein, was found to recognize more than 30 sites within an allele of the human apolipoprotein(a) gene. High plasma levels of apolipoprotein(a), a risk factor for atherosclerosis, have been correlated with genetically inherited lower-molecular-mass isoforms of this protein. MDBP might help down modulate the expression of the apolipoprotein(a) gene in a manner dependent on the length of a given allele of the gene and the number of MDBP sites in it.

Alleles↗

Neisseria gonorrhoeae FitA interacts with FitB to bind DNA through its ribbon-helix-helix motif.

The fit locus, encoding two proteins, FitA and FitB, was identified in a genetic screen for Neisseria gonorrhoeae determinants that affect trafficking across polarized epithelial cells. To better understand how the locus may control these activities, we have undertaken a biochemical analysis of FitA and FitB. FitA is a DNA-binding protein with a putative ribbon-helix-helix (RHH) motif. Purified FitA forms a homodimer that binds a 150 bp fit promoter sequence containing the translational start site. A putative beta strand mutant of FitA, FitA(R7A), is unable to bind this DNA, supporting further that FitA is a RHH protein. FitB interacts with FitA to form a 98 kDa complex. FitA/B binds DNA with a 38-fold higher affinity than the FitA homodimer. In DNase I footprint assays, FitA/B protects a 62-bp region within the fit promoter containing the predicted -10 sequence and an 8-bp inverted repeat, TGCTATCA-N(12)-TGATAGCA. FitA/B(His) is able to bind to either half-site alone with high affinity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Model for the porphyrin-DNA binding site: ENDOR investigations of Cu-porphyrins binding to DNA.

Proton ENDOR has been observed from frozen solutions (ca. 38K degrees) of copper meso-(4-N-tetra-methylpyridyl)porphyrin (CuTMpyP(4)) complexed with Salmon sperm DNA in water and D2O. Lines from exchangeable protons of the DNA bases have been observed in these ENDOR spectra. Analyses of these ENDOR data show that the separations of these DNA protons from the copper atom are between 3.76 and 3.84 A with angles of 19.5 to 22.5 degrees between the Cu-H vectors and the gz axis. A distant ENDOR response has also been observed from phosphorous nuclei in the DNA backbone. We estimate that the phosphorous atoms producing this ENDOR signal are 7.5-10 A from the copper center of the porphyrin. These ENDOR data combined with results from an earlier NMR investigation have been used to construct a computer simulated model of the binding site in which the porphyrin is partially intercalated and extends into the major groove of DNA. The two GC base pairs at this site are slightly inequivalent. For each, the G imino proton and one of the C amino protons are at appropriate positions to account for the ENDOR signals arising from exchangeable protons. It is unlikely that this inequivalence would persist at room temperature where dynamic processes would give an apparently symmetric interaction. Although the model accounts for all reported experimental data involving tetracationic porphyrin species which have been suggested to be intercalators, it is not a unique solution.

Binding Sites↗

The single Cys2-His2 zinc finger domain of the GAGA protein flanked by basic residues is sufficient for high-affinity specific DNA binding.

Specific DNA binding to the core consensus site GAGAGAG has been shown with an 82-residue peptide (residues 310-391) taken from the Drosophila transcription factor GAGA. Using a series of deletion mutants, it was demonstrated that the minimal domain required for specific binding (residues 310-372) includes a single zinc finger of the Cys2-His2 family and a stretch of basic amino acids located on the N-terminal end of the zinc finger. In gel retardation assays, the specific binding seen with either the peptide or the whole protein is zinc dependent and corresponds to a dissociation constant of approximately 5 x 10(-9) M for the purified peptide. It has previously been thought that a single zinc finger of the Cys2-His2 family is incapable of specific, high-affinity binding to DNA. The combination of an N-terminal basic region with a single Cys2-His2 zinc finger in the GAGA protein can thus be viewed as a novel DNA binding domain. This raises the possibility that other proteins carrying only one Cys2-His2 finger are also capable of high-affinity specific binding to DNA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification and characterization of the DNA-binding properties of a Zhangfei homologue in Japanese pufferfish, Takifugu rubripes.

Zhangfei is a basic region-leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor identified through its interaction with a herpesvirus-related host cell factor HCF1 (C1). Unlike most bZIP proteins, the mammalian Zhangfei protein does not bind DNA as homodimers. It is believed due to the absence of an asparagine residue in the basic region, which forms the DNA-recognition motif, NxxAAxxCR, in all bZIP proteins. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a novel Zhangfei homologue in Takifugu rubripes, which has an intact DNA-recognition motif by sequence analysis. We found that the pufferfish Zhangfei (pZF) appeared to have all the functional domains known in human Zhangfei, including the conserved HCF1-binding motif; however, pZF did not appear to bind DNA either. These findings suggest that the distinct property of the Zhangfei basic region is conserved during the evolution of vertebrates and that Zhangfei requires interaction with other proteins to regulate transcription from target promoters.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

DNA binding specificities of YPF1, a Drosophila homolog to the DNA binding subunit of human DNA-dependent protein kinase, Ku.

YPF1, a heterodimeric protein from Drosophila melanogaster, is a homolog to Ku, the DNA binding subunit of human DNA-dependent protein kinase. This kinase is crucial in transcriptional activation, V(D)J recombination, double-strand break repair, and both topoisomerase and helicase activities. To investigate functional homology between YPF1 and Ku, we examined DNA binding properties of YPF1. Like Ku, at 100 mM KCl, YPF1 binding has no detectable DNA sequence specificity, requires a DNA terminus, and has a concentration-dependent stoichiometry consistent with subsequent translocation along DNA. YPF1 differs from Ku by having a 10(5)-fold higher affinity. At 400 mM KCl, YPF1 still prefers DNA termini but shows binding specificities not observed previously with Ku. In descending order of affinity, YPF1 binds to: specific DNA sequences with a specific polarity and spacing relative to DNA termini; nonspecific linear DNA; and circular DNA. At this higher ionic strength, binding stoichiometry is concentration independent, indicating that YPF1 remains bound to ends. These results demonstrate a strong functional homology between YPF1 and Ku at physiological ionic strength. The strong binding of YPF1 has also allowed us to detect underlying binding specificities that may be specific to YPF1 and its function.

Animals↗

A functional DNA binding domain is required for growth hormone-induced nuclear accumulation of Stat5B.

The mechanisms regulating the cellular distribution of STAT family transcription factors remain poorly understood. To identify regions of Stat5B required for ligand-induced nuclear accumulation, we constructed a cDNA encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) fused to the N terminus of Stat5B and performed site-directed mutagenesis. When co-expressed with growth hormone (GH) receptor in COS-7 cells, GFP-Stat5B is tyrosyl-phosphorylated, forms dimers, and binds DNA in response to GH in a manner indistinguishable from untagged Stat5B. In multiple cell types, laser scanning confocal imaging of GFP-Stat5B co-expressed with GH receptor shows that GFP-Stat5B undergoes a rapid, dramatic accumulation in the nucleus upon GH stimulation. We introduced alanine substitutions in several regions of Stat5B and assayed for GH-dependent nuclear localization. Only the mutation that prevented binding to DNA (466VVVI469) abrogated GH-stimulated nuclear localization. This mutant fusion protein is tyrosyl-phosphorylated and dimerizes in response to GH. These results suggest that either high affinity binding to DNA contributes to nuclear accumulation of Stat5B or that this region is crucial for two functions, namely accumulation of Stat5B in the nucleus and DNA binding. Thus, we have identified a mutant Stat5 defective in nuclear localization despite its ability to be tyrosyl-phosphorylated and to dimerize.

Animals↗