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Dominant negative mutations in yeast TFIID define a bipartite DNA-binding region.

Genetic analysis showed that the conserved C-terminal 180 amino acids of yeast TFIID contain all the essential functions for growth of yeast and response to acidic transcriptional activation signals. A genetic screen was used to identify functionally important residues within this C-terminal region. Five dominant TFIID mutations were isolated that had lost the ability to bind DNA. Four of these mutations were single amino acid substitutions in the most N-terminal of two 66-67 amino acid repeats in TFIID. Analogous mutations made in the most C-terminal repeat all failed to bind DNA and inhibited growth of cells, suggesting that the DNA-binding function of TFIID is partitioned between the two repeated regions. Overproduction of wild-type TFIID rescued the dominance of the TFIID mutants, suggesting that the mutant proteins are dominant because they compete with wild-type TFIID for binding to one or more essential transcription factors.

Amino Acid Sequence

Many gene-regulatory proteins appear to have a similar alpha-helical fold that binds DNA and evolved from a common precursor.

Amino acid and DNA sequence comparisons suggest that many sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins have in common an homologous region of about 22 amino acids. This region corresponds to two consecutive alpha-helices that occur in both Cro and cI repressor proteins of bacteriophage lambda and in catabolite gene activator protein of Escherichia coli and are presumed to interact with DNA. The results obtained here suggest that this alpha-helical DNA-binding fold occurs in many proteins that regulate gene expression. It also appears that this DNA-binding unit evolved from a common evolutionary precursor.

Amino Acid Sequence

DNA binding by the herpes simplex virus type 1 ICP4 protein is necessary for efficient down regulation of the ICP0 promoter.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 ICP4 and ICP0 polypeptides are immediate-early proteins that positively and negatively regulate expression of other viral genes in trans. ICP4 has recently been shown to bind DNA bearing the consensus sequence 5'-ATCGTCNNNN(T/C)CG(A/G)C-3', present upstream of a number of viral genes. To test the hypothesis that this DNA-binding activity is involved in ICP4-mediated gene regulation, site-specific mutagenesis was employed to mutate the version of this sequence in the promoter of the ICP0 gene. The mutation eliminated detectable binding of ICP4 to the promoter as measured in vitro by a gel electrophoresis band shift assay. The ability of the mutated ICP0 promoter to direct synthesis of a reporter gene was also investigated in a transient transfection assay. Whereas ICP4 was found to transactivate the wild-type ICP0 promoter two- to threefold, the mutated promoter was transactivated seven- to ninefold. In assays containing the ICP0 transactivator gene, ICP4 down regulated the wild-type promoter far more efficiently than the mutated promoter. Finally, both the wild-type and mutated ICP0 promoters exhibited a similar response to ICP4 in transfections that included a vector expressing the viral transactivator protein VP16. These experiments suggest that the sequence-specific DNA-binding activity of ICP4 is an essential element of its role as a negative regulator of gene expression.

Animals

Temperature-sensitive mutants of adenovirus single-stranded DNA-binding protein. Inability to support DNA replication is associated with an altered DNA-binding activity of the protein.

The adenovirus single-stranded DNA-binding protein (DBP) is an essential factor in viral DNA replication. Three temperature-sensitive (ts) adenoviruses (Ad2+ND1ts23, Ad2ts111A, and Ad5ts125) are known to have single amino acid substitutions in their DBPs that result in defective DNA replication at the nonpermissive temperature. To elucidate the mechanism(s) involved in the ts phenotype, we purified the three mutant DBPs and studied their DNA-binding properties and their ability to support DNA replication in an in vitro system. The results confirm that the three ts DBPs were incapable of supporting DNA replication at the nonpermissive temperature (40 degrees C). The defect was found at both the initiation and elongation steps of DNA replication. The 2-fold stimulation of pTP.dCMP formation by the DBP was lost by prior heating of the ts DBPs. The pronounced effect of the DBP on the early elongation process was severely diminished, but not abolished, by prior heating to 40 degrees C. The functional change at 40 degrees C was irreversible, as the ts DBPs preincubated at 40 degrees C were no longer active when assayed at 30 degrees C. Upon heating to 40 degrees C, all three ts DBPs lost their ability to bind to oligonucleotides, although they still retained some binding activity for large single-stranded DNAs such as M13 DNA. Thus, the inability of these three ts DBPs to support DNA replication is attributable to their altered DNA-binding properties.

Adenoviridae

TF1, a bacteriophage-specific DNA-binding and DNA-bending protein.

We review and discuss the biological and DNA-binding properties of the bacteriophage SPO1 transcription factor 1 (TF1), a DNA-binding protein belonging to the ubiquitous prokaryotic family of Type II DNA-binding proteins. We review recent information on the effects of certain mutations in TF1 on DNA-binding and on its ability to sharply bend DNA. We also compare the DNA-binding properties of the three best-studied type II DNA-binding proteins, Escherichia coli HU, E. coli integration host factor, and TF1, and discuss them in the context of the structure and properties of chromatin in prokaryotes.

Amino Acid Sequence

Characterization of the DNA binding activity of stable RecA-DNA complexes. Interaction between the two DNA binding sites within RecA helical filaments.

The DNA-binding, annealing and recombinational activities of purified RecA-DNA complexes stabilized by ATP gamma S (a slowly hydrolysable analog of ATP) are described. Electrophoretic analysis, DNase protection experiments and observations by electron microscopy suggest that saturated RecA complexes formed with single- or double-stranded DNA are able to accommodate an additional single strand of DNA with a stoichiometry of about one nucleotide of added single-stranded DNA per nucleotide or base-pair, respectively, of DNA resident in the complex. This strand uptake is independent of complementarity or homology between the added and resident DNA molecules. In the complex, the incoming and resident single-stranded DNA molecules are in close proximity as the two strands can anneal in case of their complementarity. Stable RecA complexes formed with single-stranded DNA bind double-stranded DNA efficiently when the added DNA is homologous to the complexed strand and then initiate a strand exchange reaction between the partner DNA molecules. Electron microscopy of the RecA-single-stranded DNA complexes associated with homologous double-stranded DNA suggests that a portion of duplex DNA is taken into the complex and placed in register with the resident single strand. Our experiments indicate that both DNA binding sites within RecA helical filaments can be occupied by either single- or double-stranded DNA. Presumably, the same first DNA binding site is used by RecA during its polymerization on single- or double-stranded DNA and the second DNA binding site becomes available for subsequent interaction of the protein-saturated complexes with naked DNA. The way by which additional DNA is taken into RecA-DNA complexes shows co-operative character and this helps to explain how topological problems are avoided during RecA-mediated homologous recombination.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Role of the amino-terminal domain of bacteriophage phi 29 connector in DNA binding and packaging.

The connector of bacteriophage phi 29 is required for prohead assembly, binds DNA, and drives DNA packaging into viral proheads. Limited proteolysis of the connector protein with endoproteinase Glu-C from Staphylococcus aureus V8 and chymotrypsin showed that a domain of the NH2-terminal region is involved in DNA binding and in the subsequent packaging into preformed proheads, but not in prohead assembly. Mutants in specific amino acids of the NH2-terminal domain, obtained by directed mutagenesis techniques, showed that the Ala1-Arg2-Lys3-Arg4 region of the connector is absolutely necessary for DNA packaging into the proheads as well as for efficient DNA binding.

Amino Acid Sequence

Identification of a major serum DNA-binding protein as factor B of the alternative complement pathway.

One of the major proteins in human serum capable of binding DNA has been shown to be factor B of the alternative pathway of complement activation. This protein, designated DNA-binding protein-2 (DBP-2), is recognized by antisera directed against both factor B and its activated form, fragment Bb. Its m.w., charge microheterogeneity, and amino acid composition correspond closely with reported values for those properties of factor B. A radioimmunoassay was used to estimate the serum concentration of DBP-2 at 266 +/- 83 microgram/ml, which also corresponds with the level of factor B normally present in the serum. DBP-2 functions as factor B in the activation of factor B-depleted serum. Limited proteolytic treatment of DBP-2 produced a fragment pattern resembling that of factor B both in the m.w. of the fragments and their electrophoretic mobilities. By means of DNA affinity chromatography of the fragments produced by trypsinization, the DNA-binding domain of DBP-2 was localized.

Amino Acid Sequence

DNA-binding domains of human plasma fibronectin. pH and calcium ion modulation of fibronectin binding to DNA and heparin.

We have studied the binding of fibronectin and its thermolysin fragments to DNA and heparin. Elution of polypeptides bound to DNA-cellulose and heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography columns was performed by NaCl linear gradients in buffers at different pH and in the presence and absence of calcium ions. The NaCl concentration required to elute fibronectin from both types of column increased as the pH decreased. Fibronectin was not retained on DNA-cellulose or heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography columns using a buffer containing physiological concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+ and NaCl, at pH 7.4. On the other hand at pH 6.4 in conditions of physiological ionic strength, fibronectin was retained by both columns, eluting from the DNA-cellulose at 280 mM NaCl and from the heparin-Sepharose column at 210 mM. Furthermore, we have studied the interaction of thermolysin-digested fibronectin both with DNA-cellulose and heparin-Sepharose using the above procedure. The results demonstrate that there are four distinct domains, which interact both with DNA and heparin. We also report here the modulation by pH and Ca2+ ions of the interaction with DNA and heparin of these different domains.

Amino Acid Sequence

Immunochemical analysis of the glucocorticoid receptor: identification of a third domain separate from the steroid-binding and DNA-binding domains.

The glucocorticoid-receptor complex can be subdivided into three separate domains by limited proteolysis with trypsin or alpha-chymotrypsin. The following characteristics can be separated: steroid-binding activity (domain A), DNA-binding activity (domain B), and immunoactivity (domain C). We have previously reported the separation of the steroid-binding domain from the DNA-binding domain by limited proteolysis of the receptor with trypsin. In this paper, we report the detection by immunochemical analysis of a third domain of the glucocorticoid receptor, which does not bind hormone. Immunoactivity was detected by using specific antiglucocorticoid receptor antibodies raised in rabbits against purified rat liver glucocorticoid receptor and the assay used was an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After digestion with alpha-chymotrypsin, the immunoactive region of the receptor (domain C) was separated from the other two domains (A and B). The immunoactive fragment was found to have a Stokes radius of 2.6 nm. Further digestion with alpha-chymotrypsin resulted in separation of the immunoactive fragment to give a fragment having a Stokes radius of 1.4 nm. The immunoactive domain could be separated from the half of the glucocorticoid receptor containing the steroid-binding and the DNA-binding domains (Stokes radius, 3.3 nm), by limited proteolysis of the receptor by alpha-chymotrypsin followed by gel filtration or chromatography on DNA-cellulose.

Animals

The GCN4 basic region leucine zipper binds DNA as a dimer of uninterrupted alpha helices: crystal structure of the protein-DNA complex.

The yeast transcriptional activator GCN4 is 1 of over 30 identified eukaryotic proteins containing the basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) DNA-binding motif. We have determined the crystal structure of the GCN4 bZIP element complexed with DNA at 2.9 A resolution. The bZIP dimer is a pair of continuous alpha helices that form a parallel coiled coil over their carboxy-terminal 30 residues and gradually diverge toward their amino termini to pass through the major groove of the DNA-binding site. The coiled-coil dimerization interface is oriented almost perpendicular to the DNA axis, giving the complex the appearance of the letter T. There are no kinks or sharp bends in either bZIP monomer. Numerous contacts to DNA bases and phosphate oxygens are made by basic region residues that are conserved in the bZIP protein family. The details of the bZIP dimer interaction with DNA can explain recognition of the AP-1 site by the GCN4 protein.

Amino Acid Sequence

Protein-protein interactions facilitate DNA binding by the glucocorticoid receptor DNA-binding domain.

We have studied the interaction of the DNA-binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor with a glucocorticoid response element from the tyrosine aminotransferase gene. This response element consists of two binding sites (half-sites) for the glucocorticoid receptor DNA-binding domain. The sequences of these two half-sites are not identical, and we have previously shown that binding occurs preferentially to one of the half-sites (Tsai, S.-Y., Carlstedt-Duke, J., Weigel, N. L., Dahlman, K., Gustafsson, J.-A., Tsai, M.-J., and O'Malley, B. W. (1988) Cell 55, 361-369). We show here that binding to the low affinity half-site is dependent on previous occupancy of the high affinity half-site. This facilitated binding is dependent on the distance between the two half-sites and their relative orientation but is not dependent on the integrity of the DNA backbone. This is consistent with a model where DNA binding is not only dependent on interactions between the protein and its DNA target sequence but is also influenced by interactions between the protein molecules bound.

Base Sequence

Highly conserved residues in the bZIP domain of yeast GCN4 are not essential for DNA binding.

Yeast GCN4 and the Jun oncoprotein are transcriptional activators that bind DNA via a bZIP domain consisting of a leucine zipper dimerization element and an adjacent basic region that directly contacts DNA. Two highly conserved alanines (Ala-238 and Ala-239 in GCN4) and an invariant asparagine (Asn-235) in the basic region have been proposed to play important roles in DNA sequence recognition by bZIP proteins. Surprisingly, these conserved residues can be functionally replaced in GCN4 and in a derivative containing the Jun basic region (Jun-GCN4). The ability of an amino acid to functionally substitute for Asn-235 does not correlate with its preference for assuming the N-cap position of an alpha helix. This finding argues against the proposal of the scissors grip model that the invariant asparagine forms an N cap that permits the basic region to bend sharply and wrap around the DNA. In contrast to a prediction of the induced fork model, the pattern of functional substitutions of the conserved alanines together with the results of uracil interference experiments suggests that Ala-238 and Ala-239 do not make base-specific DNA contacts. Finally, the Jun-GCN4 chimeric proteins appear much more active in vivo than expected from their DNA-binding properties in vitro. The mechanistic and evolutionary implications of these results are discussed.

Alanine

The liver-specific transcription factor LF-B1 contains a highly diverged homeobox DNA binding domain.

The nuclear protein LF-B1 (also referred to as HNF-1) is a transcription activator required for the expression of several liver-specific genes. LF-B1 has been purified to homogeneity from rat liver nuclear extracts. The sequence of the protein has been partially determined and, subsequently, overlapping cDNA clones containing the entire open reading frame of LF-B1 were isolated. The full-length cDNA encodes a 628 amino acid protein and directs the synthesis in vitro of a protein capable of binding DNA with the same specificity as LF-B1. The cDNA was recombined into a vaccinia virus vector and active LF-B1 was obtained from infected HeLa cells. Addition of the vaccinia recombinant protein to rat spleen extracts results in activation of transcription of an LF-B1-dependent promoter. The DNA binding domain of LF-B1 is located in the amino-terminal part of the protein and displays distant structural similarity to the homeobox domain. The distribution of LF-B1 mRNA is restricted to liver, which correlates with the tissue-specific expression of its target genes.

Amino Acid Sequence

Nucleoside triphosphates promote the transformation of Ah receptor to its DNA-binding form.

When it is bound to a specific ligand such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, mild heating can convert the Ah (aryl hydrocarbon) receptor into a form capable of binding DNA. We found that physiological (1-3 mM) levels of ATP substantially increased the transformation of the receptor to its DNA-binding form. GTP, UTP and CTP had similar effects. ADP also promoted this transformation, but was less effective than ATP at low concentrations. Pyrophosphate too promoted transformation, but AMP had little effect. The process did not require nucleotide hydrolysis, since non-hydrolysable analogues of ATP such as adenosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate were nearly as effective as ATP itself. Inhibitors of ATP-stimulated proteases did not significantly affect the ability of ATP to promote receptor transformation, which suggests that the effect of ATP was not mediated by these proteases.

Adenosine Monophosphate

Characterization of the bacteriophage lambda excisionase (Xis) protein: the C-terminus is required for Xis-integrase cooperativity but not for DNA binding.

We have performed a mutational analysis of the xis gene of bacteriophage lambda. The Xis protein is 72 amino acids in length and required for excisive recombination. Twenty-six mutants of Xis were isolated that were impaired or deficient in lambda excision. Mutant proteins that contained amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal 49 amino acids of Xis were defective in excisive recombination and were unable to bind DNA. In contrast, one mutant protein containing a leucine to proline substitution at position 60 and two truncated proteins containing either the N-terminal 53 or 64 amino acids continued to bind lambda DNA, interact cooperatively with FIS and promote excision. However, these three mutants were unable to bind DNA cooperatively with Int. Cooperativity between wild-type Xis and Int required the presence of FIS, but not the Int core-type binding sites. This study shows that Xis has at least two functional domains and also demonstrates the importance of the cooperativity in DNA binding of FIS, Xis and Int in lambda excision.

Amino Acid Sequence

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

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