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Identification and characterization of a gene coding a novel isoform of DEAD-box protein.

A gene coding a novel isoform of DEAD-box protein named testicular DEAD-box protein (tDbp), presumably involved in testicular function, was identified and characterized. Testicular DEAD-box protein was cloned from a human testis cDNA library. The cDNA microarray hybridization showed that it was expressed at a higher level in adult testis than in embryo testis. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction indicated that tDbp was specifically expressed in testis, but not in some other tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The splicing of yeast mitochondrial group I and group II introns requires a DEAD-box protein with RNA chaperone function.

Group I and II introns self-splice in vitro, but require proteins for efficient splicing in vivo, to stabilize the catalytically active RNA structure. Recent studies showed that the splicing of some Neurospora crassa mitochondrial group I introns additionally requires a DEAD-box protein, CYT-19, which acts as an RNA chaperone to resolve nonnative structures formed during RNA folding. Here we show that, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria, a related DEAD-box protein, Mss116p, is required for the efficient splicing of all group I and II introns, some RNA end-processing reactions, and translation of a subset of mRNAs, and that all these defects can be partially or completely suppressed by the expression of CYT-19. Results for the aI2 group II intron indicate that Mss116p is needed after binding the intron-encoded maturase, likely for the disruption of stable but inactive RNA structures. Our results suggest that both group I and II introns are prone to kinetic traps in RNA folding in vivo and that the splicing of both types of introns may require DEAD-box proteins that function as RNA chaperones.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

T-bet antagonizes mSin3a recruitment and transactivates a fully methylated IFN-gamma promoter via a conserved T-box half-site.

Promoter DNA methylation is a major epigenetic mechanism for silencing genes and establishing commitment in cells differentiating from their precursors. The transcription factor T-bet is a key determinant of IFN-gamma gene expression in helper T cells, but the mechanisms by which it achieves this effect are not clear. It is shown here that T-bet binds to a highly conserved T-box half-site in the IFN-gamma promoter, is recruited to the endogenous IFN-gamma promoter in T lymphoid cells, and transactivates gene expression through this sequence in a manner dependent on consensus T-box residues. This conserved promoter site is methylated in a model T cell line, and enforced T-bet expression did not alter its complete methylation. T-bet transactivated the conserved core promoter in transfection assays and collaborated functionally with C/EBPbeta despite methylation of the conserved element. Importantly, enforced T-bet expression led to dissociation of the mSin3a corepressor from the endogenous, chromatinized IFN-gamma promoter without decreasing loading of the methyl-CpG binding protein MeCP2. These data indicate that T-bet can override repressive epigenetic modification by a mechanism in which this master regulator acts through a T-box half-site to enforce the activation of IFN-gamma gene expression in part by decreased loading of a corepressor on methylated DNA.

Binding Sites↗

F-box-like domain in the polerovirus protein P0 is required for silencing suppressor function.

Plants employ small RNA-mediated posttranscriptional gene silencing as a virus defense mechanism. In response, plant viruses encode proteins that can suppress RNA silencing, but the mode of action of most such proteins is poorly understood. Here, we show that the silencing suppressor protein P0 of two Arabidopsis-infecting poleroviruses interacts by means of a conserved minimal F-box motif with Arabidopsis thaliana orthologs of S-phase kinase-related protein 1 (SKP1), a component of the SCF family of ubiquitin E3 ligases. Point mutations in the F-box-like motif abolished the P0-SKP1 ortholog interaction, diminished virus pathogenicity, and inhibited the silencing suppressor activity of P0. Knockdown of expression of a SKP1 ortholog in Nicotiana benthamiana rendered the plants resistant to polerovirus infection. Together, the results support a model in which P0 acts as an F-box protein that targets an essential component of the host posttranscriptional gene silencing machinery.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Krüppel-associated box-mediated repression of RNA polymerase II promoters is influenced by the arrangement of basal promoter elements.

The evolutionarily conserved Krüppel-associated box (KRAB) is present in the N-terminal regions of more than one-third of all Krüppel-class zinc finger proteins. Recent experiments have demonstrated that the KRAB-A domain tethered to a promoter DNA by connecting to heterologous DNA-binding protein domain or targeted to a promoter-proximal RNA sequence acts as a transcriptional silencing of RNA polymerase II promoters. Here we show that expression of KRAB domain suppresses in vivo the activating function of various defined activating transcription factors, and we demonstrate that the KRAB domain specifically silences the activity of promoters whose initiation is dependent on the presence of a TATA box. Promoters whose accurate transcription initiation is directed by a pyrimidine-rich initiator element, however, are relatively unaffected. We also report in vitro transcription experiments indicating that the KRAB domain is able to repress both activated and basal promoter activity. Thus, the KRAB domain appears to repress the activity of certain promoters through direct communication with TATA box-dependent basal transcription machinery.

Base Sequence↗

A cis-acting DNA element located between TATA box and transcription initiation site is critical in response to regulatory sequences in human angiotensinogen gene.

The promoter of the human angiotensinogen (hAG) gene functioned in its own core promoter context but not when replaced with simian virus 40 (SV40) core promoter, suggesting the presence of a transcriptionally important cis-acting sequence. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that a ubiquitously expressed nuclear factor, AGCF1, bound to AGCE1 (hAG core promoter element 1; positions -25 to -1) located between the TATA box and transcription initiation site. Substitution mutation in AGCE1 which disrupted AGCF1 binding affected the promoter activity more severely than a nonsense mutation of the hAG TATA sequences did. When AGCE1 was placed at the downstream of SV40 core promoter, the responsiveness to hAG upstream region was significantly restored. Furthermore, mutation and in vivo competition experiments suggested that AGCF1 acts as a critical regulator of hAG transcription by mediating the activity of the hAG upstream and downstream enhancer elements. DNase I footprinting and UV cross-linking analyses showed that AGCF1 with apparent molecular masses of 31, 33, and 43 kDa as the components protected the region from -26 to -9 which partially overlapped with the TATA box consensus sequences. These findings indicate that AGCE1 in addition to the TATA box plays a key role in mediating the hAG regulatory elements.

Angiotensinogen↗

Inducible degradation of IkappaBalpha by the proteasome requires interaction with the F-box protein h-betaTrCP.

Activation of NF-kappaB transcription factors requires phosphorylation and ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent degradation of IkappaB proteins. We provide evidence that a human F-box protein, h-betaTrCP, a component of Skp1-Cullin-F-box protein (SCF) complexes, a new class of E3 ubiquitin ligases, is essential for inducible degradation of IkappaBalpha. betaTrCP associates with Ser32-Ser36 phosphorylated, but not with unmodified IkappaBalpha or Ser32-Ser36 phosphorylation-deficient mutants. Expression of a F-box-deleted betaTrCP inhibits IkappaBalpha degradation, promotes accumulation of phosphorylated Ser32-Ser36 IkappaBalpha, and prevents NF-kappaB-dependent transcription. Our findings indicate that betaTrCP is the adaptor protein required for IkappaBalpha recognition by the SCFbetaTrCP E3 complex that ubiquitinates IkappaBalpha and makes it a substrate for the proteasome.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

Probing interactions between the U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein and the DEAD-box protein, Prp5.

Pre-mRNA binding to the yeast U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) during prespliceosome formation requires ATP hydrolysis, the highly conserved UACUAAC box of the branch point region of the pre-mRNA, and several factors. Here we analyzed the binding of a radiolabeled 2'-O-methyl oligonucleotide complementary to U2 small nuclear RNA to study interactions between the UACUAAC box, U2 snRNP, and Prp5p, a DEAD box protein necessary for prespliceosome formation. Binding of the 2'-O-methyl oligonucleotide to the U2 snRNP in yeast cell extract was assayed by gel electrophoresis. Binding was rapid, enhanced by ATP, and dependent on the integrity and conformation of the U2 snRNP. It was also stimulated by Prp5p that was found to associate physically with U2 snRNP. In vitro heat inactivation of the temperature-sensitive prp5-1 mutant extract decreased oligonucleotide binding to U2 and the ATP enhancement of binding by 3-fold. Furthermore, the temperature-sensitive prp5-1 mutation maps to the ATP-binding motif I within the helicase-like domain. Thus the catalytic activity of Prp5p likely promotes a conformational change in the U2 snRNP.

Base Sequence↗

p73 Interacts with c-Myc to regulate Y-box-binding protein-1 expression.

YB-1 is a member of the cold shock domain family of proteins that is important for signaling DNA damage and cell proliferation. YB-1 is induced by DNA damage and can also recognize cisplatin-modified DNA. In this study we observed a 6-fold increase in the steady-state level of YB-1 mRNA in response to cisplatin exposure in cells of the human cancer cell line KB. We present evidence from cotransfection experiments for a critical role of c-Myc and p73 in the transactivation of the YB-1 promoter. p73 transactivated the YB-1 promoter in experiments with Saos-2 cells, which express c-Myc, but not with HO15.19 cells, which lack c-Myc. In turn, c-Myc transactivated an intact YB-1 promoter but not a YB-1 promoter with a mutant E-box, indicating that the E-box is necessary for the response of the promoter to cisplatin. We also found that p73 interacts with c-Myc in vitro and in vivo. Using deletion mutants we showed that the DNA-binding domain of p73 and the C-terminal region of c-Myc are required for the interaction. Furthermore, p73 stimulated the interaction of Max with c-Myc and promoted binding of the c-Myc-Max complex to its target DNA. Our data suggest that p73 stimulates the transcription of the YB-1 promoter by enhancing recruitment of the c-Myc-Max complex to the E-box.

Animals↗

Skp1 and the F-box protein Pof6 are essential for cell separation in fission yeast.

Here we report functional characterization of the essential fission yeast Skp1 homologue. We have created a conditional allele of skp1 (skp1-3f) mimicking the mutation in the budding yeast skp1-3 allele. Although budding yeast skp1-3 arrests at the G(1)/S transition, skp1-3f cells progress through S phase and instead display two distinct phenotypes. A fraction of the skp1-3f cells arrest in mitosis with high Cdc2 activity. Other skp1-3f cells as well as the skp1-deleted cells accumulate abnormal thick septa leading to defects in cell separation. Subsequent identification of 16 fission yeast F-box proteins led to identification of the product of pof6 (for pombe F-box) as a Skp1-associated protein. Interestingly, cells deleted for the essential pof6 gene display a similar cell separation defect noted in skp1 mutants, and Pof6 localizes to septa and cell tips. Purification of Pof6 demonstrates association of Skp1, whereas the Pcu1 cullin was absent from the complex. These findings reveal an essential non-Skp1-Cdc53/Cullin-F-box protein function for the fission yeast Skp1 homologue and the F-box protein Pof6 in cell separation.

Alleles↗

Analysis of the VMD2 promoter and implication of E-box binding factors in its regulation.

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is crucial for the normal development and function of retinal photo-receptors, and mutations in several genes that are preferentially expressed in the RPE have been shown to cause retinal degeneration. We analyzed the 5'-up-stream region of human VMD2, a gene that is preferentially expressed in the RPE and, when mutated, causes Best macular dystrophy. Transgenic mouse studies with VMD2 promoter/lacZ constructs demonstrated that a-253 to +38 bp fragment is sufficient to direct RPE-specific expression in the eye. Transient transfection assays using the D407 human RPE cell line with VMD2 promoter/luciferase reporter constructs identified two positive regulatory regions, -585 to -541 bp for high level expression and -56 to -42 bp for low level expression. Mutation of a canonical E-box located in the -56 to -42 bp region greatly diminished luciferase expression in D407 cells and abolished the bands shifted with bovine RPE nuclear extract in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Independently a candidate approach was used to select microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) for testing because it is expressed in the RPE and associated with RPE abnormalities when mutated. MITF-M significantly increased luciferase expression in D407 cells in an E-box-dependent manner. These studies define the VMD2 promoter region sufficient to drive RPE-specific expression in the eye, identify positive regulatory regions in vitro, and suggest that MITF as well as other E-box binding factors may act as positive regulators of VMD2 expression.

5' Flanking Region↗

A basic leucine zipper transcription factor, G-box-binding factor 1, regulates blue light-mediated photomorphogenic growth in Arabidopsis.

Several transcriptional regulators have been identified and demonstrated to play either positive or negative regulatory roles in seedling development. However, the regulatory coordination between hypocotyl elongation and cotyledon expansion during early seedling development in plants remains unknown. We report the identification of a Z-box binding factor (ZBF2) and its functional characterization in cryptochrome-mediated blue light signaling. ZBF2 encodes a G-box binding factor (GBF1), which is a basic leucine zipper transcription factor. Our DNA-protein interaction studies reveal that ZBF2/GBF1 also interacts with the Z-box light-responsive element of light-regulated promoters. Genetic analyses of gbf1 mutants and overexpression studies suggest that GBF1 acts as a repressor of blue light-mediated inhibition in hypocotyl elongation, however, it acts as a positive regulator of cotyledon expansion during photomorphogenic growth. Furthermore, whereas GBF1 acts as a positive regulator of lateral root formation, it differentially regulates the expression of light-inducible genes. Taken together, these results demonstrate that GBF1 is a unique transcriptional regulator of photomorphogenesis in blue light.

Arabidopsis↗

TIT for TAT: the properties of inosine and adenosine in TATA box DNA.

The sequence dependent conformation, flexibility and hydration properties of DNA molecules constitute selectivity determinants in the formation of protein-DNA complexes. TATA boxes in which AT basepairs (bp) have been substituted by IC bp (TITI box) allow for probing these selectivity determinants for the complexation with the TATA box-binding protein (TBP) with different sequences but identical chemical surfaces. The reference promoter Adenovirus 2 Major Late Promoter (mlp) is formed by the apposition of two sequences with very different dynamic properties: an alternating TATA sequence and an A-tract. For a comparative study, we carried out molecular dynamics simulations of two DNA oligomers, one containing the mlp sequence (2 ns), and the other an analog where AT basepairs were substituted by IC basepairs (1 ns). The simulations, carried out with explicit solvent and counterinons, yield straight purine tracts, the A-tract being stiffer than the I-tract, an alternating structure for the YRYR tracts, and hydration patterns that differ between the purine tracts and the alternating sequence tracts. A detailed analysis of the proposed interactions responsible for the stiffness of the purine tracts indicates that the stacking between the bases bears the strongest correlation to stiffness. The hydration properties of the minor groove in the two oligomers are distinctly different. Such differences are likely to be responsible for the stronger binding of TBP to mlp over the inosine-substituted variant. The calculations were made possible by the development, described here, of a new set of forcefield parameters for inosine that complement the published CHARMM all-hydrogen nucleic acid parametrization.

Adenosine↗

Association of human DEAD box protein DDX1 with a cleavage stimulation factor involved in 3'-end processing of pre-MRNA.

DEAD box proteins are putative RNA helicases that function in all aspects of RNA metabolism, including translation, ribosome biogenesis, and pre-mRNA splicing. Because many processes involving RNA metabolism are spatially organized within the cell, we examined the subcellular distribution of a human DEAD box protein, DDX1, to identify possible biological functions. Immunofluorescence labeling of DDX1 demonstrated that in addition to widespread punctate nucleoplasmic labeling, DDX1 is found in discrete nuclear foci approximately 0.5 microm in diameter. Costaining with anti-Sm and anti-promyelocytic leukemia (PML) antibodies indicates that DDX1 foci are frequently located next to Cajal (coiled) bodies and less frequently, to PML bodies. Most importantly, costaining with anti-CstF-64 antibody indicates that DDX1 foci colocalize with cleavage bodies. By microscopic fluorescence resonance energy transfer, we show that labeled DDX1 resides within a Förster distance of 10 nm of labeled CstF-64 protein in both the nucleoplasm and within cleavage bodies. Coimmunoprecipitation analysis indicates that a proportion of CstF-64 protein resides in the same complex as DDX1. These studies are the first to identify a DEAD box protein associating with factors involved in 3'-end cleavage and polyadenylation of pre-mRNAs.

Animals↗

The DEAH-box protein PRP22 is an ATPase that mediates ATP-dependent mRNA release from the spliceosome and unwinds RNA duplexes.

Of the proteins required for pre-mRNA splicing, at least four, the DEAH-box proteins, are closely related due to the presence of a central 'RNA helicase-like' region, and extended homology through a large portion of the protein. A major unresolved question is the function of these proteins. Indirect evidence suggests that several of these proteins are catalysts for important structural rearrangements in the spliceosome. However, the mechanism for the proposed alterations is presently unknown. We present evidence that PRP22, a DEAH-box protein required for mRNA release from the spliceosome, unwinds RNA duplexes in a concentration- and ATP-dependent manner. This demonstrates that PRP22 can modify RNA structure directly. We also show that the PRP22-dependent release of mRNA from the spliceosome is an ATP-dependent process and that recombinant PRP22 is an ATPase. Non-hydrolyzable ATP analogs did not substitute for ATP in the RNA-unwinding reaction, suggesting that ATP hydrolysis is required for this reaction. Specific mutation of a putative ATP phosphate-binding motif in the recombinant protein eliminated the ATPase and RNA-unwinding capacity. Significantly, these data suggest that the DEAH-box proteins act directly on RNA substrates within the spliceosome.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Opposite roles of the F-box protein Rcy1p and the GTPase-activating protein Gyp2p during recycling of internalized proteins in yeast.

The F-box protein Rcy1p is part of a non-SCF (Skp1p-cullin-F-box protein) complex involved in recycling of internalized material. Like rcy1Delta, cells lacking the Rab-GTPase Ypt6p or its heterodimeric GEFs Rgp1p and Ric1p are unable to recycle the v-SNARE Snc1p. Here we provide genetic evidence suggesting that Rcy1p is a positive regulator of Ypt6p. Deletion of the GAP Gyp2p restores recycling in rcy1Delta, while overexpression of an active form of Ypt6p partially suppresses the recycling defect of rcy1Delta cells. Conversely, overexpression of Gyp2p in wild-type cells interferes with recycling of GFP-Snc1p, and the cells accumulate membrane structures as evidenced by electron microscopy. Gyp2p-GFP is distributed throughout the cytoplasm and accumulates in punctate structures, which concentrate in an actin-dependent manner at sites of polarized growth. Taken together, our results suggest that the F-box protein Rcy1p may activate the Ypt6p GTPase module during recycling.

Actins↗

T-box genes in human disorders.

The T-box gene family encodes a large family of transcription factors with more than 20 members identified in humans so far, and homologues in many other organisms. A number of human disorders have been linked to mutations in T-box genes, confirming their medical importance. They include Holt- Oram syndrome/TBX5, Ulnar-Mammary syndrome/TBX3, and more recently DiGeorge syndrome/TBX1, ACTH deficiency/TBX19 and cleft palate with ankyloglossia/TBX22. This review describes the key features of these disorders and the involvement of T-box genes in their phenotype.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Novel upstream elements and the TATA-box region mediate preferential transcription from the uteroglobin promoter in endometrial cells.

To understand the mechanisms responsible for endometrium-specific expression of the uteroglobin gene, we have compared transcription from the uteroglobin promoter in a human endometrial cell line (Ishikawa) and in HeLa cells. In transient transfection experiments and in nuclear extracts, sequences from -395 to +14 of the uteroglobin gene are able to promote transcription of a reporter gene more efficiently in Ishikawa cells than in HeLa cells relative to the RSV or the SV40 early promoter. Analysis of progressive 5'-deletion mutants identifies three promoter regions, -258/-220, -205/-177, and -96/-35, that are important for preferential transcription in endometrial cells. DNase I footprinting experiments with nuclear extracts from Ishikawa and HeLa cells reveal a series of defined protections overlapping these regions. The relative intensity of individual protections differs between the two cell lines. Oligonucleotide competition experiments suggest that similar factor(s) bind(s) to the two relevant upstream regions of the promoter that share no homology to known regulatory elements. A protection over the TATA-box is detected only with extracts from Ishikawa cells. Band shift experiments show that an Ishikawa-specific factor binds to sequences overlapping the TATA-box region that are partially conserved in other endometrium-expressed genes. We propose that novel transcription factors mediate endometrium-specific expression of the uteroglobin gene in conjunction with a tissue-specific factor that binds to the TATA-box region.

Base Sequence↗