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Xenopus Y-box transcription factors: molecular cloning, functional analysis and developmental regulation.

We describe the cloning and characterization of two cDNAs from Xenopus laevis that encode sequence-specific DNA binding proteins called FRG Y1 and FRG Y2 (frog Y-box proteins 1 and 2). During oogenesis and embryogenesis, the genes encoding these proteins are differentially expressed. FRG Y1 mRNA is present in oocytes, embryos, and all adult tissues examined, whereas FRG Y2 mRNA is found only in testis and immature oocytes. The FRG Y1 and FRG Y2 proteins are shown to stimulate transcription from a promoter containing a Y box (CTGATTGGCCAA). This promoter element is found in both mammalian major histocompatibility complex class II and Xenopus germ-cell-specific genes. FRG Y1, FRG Y2, and a human Y-box binding protein are homologous and represent a distinct family of sequence-specific DNA binding proteins. We identify protamine-like regions that are present within this family of transcription factors, suggesting that they use unusual means of binding to DNA.

Age Factors↗

In vivo footprint analysis of the HLA-DRA gene promoter: cell-specific interaction at the octamer site and up-regulation of X box binding by interferon gamma.

Analysis of the major histocompatibility complex class II gene promoter DRA has previously identified at least five cis-acting regions required for maximal expression. We have examined the DRA promoter for protein-DNA interactions in the intact cell, which may mediate transcriptional activation. Using in vivo genomic footprinting we identified interactions in B-cell lines at the octamer site and the Y, X1, and X2 boxes. Class II antigen expressing T-cell lines maintained contacts identical to B-cell lines, while class II-negative T-cell lines exhibited no interactions. In lymphoid cell lines, the octamer site is occupied and required for maximal expression. This is most likely due to the presence of the lymphoid-specific OTF-2 factor. In contrast, the class II-positive nonlymphoid glioblastoma cell line does not exhibit interactions at the octamer site despite the presence of the ubiquitous OTF-1 factor and an open binding site. Thus, the DRA promoter discriminates against OTF-1 activation at the level of DNA binding in the glioblastoma line. Interferon gamma induces class II expression in this glioblastoma cell line and, in parallel, up-regulates X1 and X2 box protein-DNA interactions, while all other interactions remain unchanged. These results suggest that interferon gamma functions on a poised promoter by altering weak, nonproductive interactions at the X boxes to strong interactions. These findings provide direct in vivo evidence to strongly suggest that the modulation of X1 and X2 interactions is an important constituent of the interferon gamma induction pathway.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Isolation and characterization of human cDNA clones encoding a high mobility group box protein that recognizes structural distortions to DNA caused by binding of the anticancer agent cisplatin.

Human cDNA clones encoding a structure-specific recognition protein, SSRP1, that binds specifically to DNA modified with cisplatin have been isolated and characterized. The SSRP1 gene maps to human chromosome 11q12. The cDNA clones, obtained by using partial-length cDNAs described previously, predict an 81-kDa protein containing several highly charged domains and a stretch of 75 amino acids 47% identical to a portion of the high mobility group (HMG) protein HMG1. This HMG box most likely constitutes the structure recognition element for cisplatin-modified DNA, with the probable recognition motif being the local duplex unwinding and bending toward the major groove that occurs upon formation of intrastrand cis-[Pt(NH3)2]2+ d(GpG) and d(ApG) cross-links. Although the DNA recognition properties of members of the HMG-box family of proteins have been characterized with respect to their sequence specificity, the present work demonstrates that proteins with this domain can recognize particular DNA structures as well. The Pt-DNA SSRP described here is the human homolog of a recently identified mouse protein that binds to recombination signal sequences [Shirakata, M., Hüppi, K., Usuda, S., Okazaki, K., Yoshida, K. & Sakano, H. (1991) Mol. Cell. Biol. 11, 4528-4536]. These sequences have been postulated to form stem-loop structures, further implicating local bends and unwinding in DNA as a recognition target for HMG-box proteins. Expression analysis in a variety of tissues and cisplatin-resistant cell lines and the inability of cisplatin to induce the message in HeLa cells argue against a direct link between SSRP1 mRNA levels and the response of cells to the drug.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The SRY high-mobility-group box recognizes DNA by partial intercalation in the minor groove: a topological mechanism of sequence specificity.

SRY, a putative transcription factor encoded by the sex-determining region of the human Y chromosome, regulates a genetic switch in male development. Impairment of this switch leads to intersex abnormalities of the newborn and is observed in association with mutations in the SRY DNA-binding domain [the high-mobility-group (HMG) box]. Here we show that the SRY HMG box exhibits a novel mechanism of DNA recognition: partial intercalation of a nonpolar side chain in the DNA minor groove. Base stacking (but not base pairing) is interrupted at the site of insertion. Sequence specificity reflects topological requirements of partial intercalation rather than direct readout of base-specific functional groups. Our results predict that the SRY HMG box inserts an alpha-helix into a widened minor groove at the center of a sharp DNA bend. A similar mechanism may underlie binding of SRY and homologous HMG proteins to four-way junctions (Holliday intermediates) and other noncanonical DNA structures.

Base Composition↗

The conserved SOCS box motif in suppressors of cytokine signaling binds to elongins B and C and may couple bound proteins to proteasomal degradation.

The suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family of proteins act as intracellular inhibitors of several cytokine signal transduction pathways. Their expression is induced by cytokine activation of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway and they act as a negative feedback loop by subsequently inhibiting the JAK/STAT pathway either by direct interaction with activated JAKs or with the receptors. These interactions are mediated at least in part by the SH2 domain of SOCS proteins but these proteins also contain a highly conserved C-terminal homology domain termed the SOCS box. Here we show that the SOCS box mediates interactions with elongins B and C, which in turn may couple SOCS proteins and their substrates to the proteasomal protein degradation pathway. Analogous to the family of F-box-containing proteins, it appears that the SOCS proteins may act as adaptor molecules that target activated cell signaling proteins to the protein degradation pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Constitutive function of the basic helix-loop-helix/PAS factor Arnt. Regulation of target promoters via the E box motif.

Arnt is a nuclear basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor that, contiguous with the bHLH motif, contains a region of homology (PAS) with the Drosophila factors Per and Sim. Arnt dimerizes in a ligand-dependent manner with the bHLH dioxin receptor, a process that enables the dioxin-(2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin)-activated Arnt-dioxin receptor complex to recognize dioxin response elements of target promoters. In the absence of dioxin, Arnt does not bind to this target sequence motif. The constitutive function of Arnt is presently not understood. Here we demonstrate that Arnt constitutively bound the E box motif CACGTG that is also recognized by a number of distinct bHLH factors, including USF and Max. Importantly, amino acids that have been identified to be critical for E box recognition by Max and USF are conserved in Arnt. Consistent with these observations, full-length Arnt, but not an Arnt deletion mutant lacking its potent C-terminal transactivation domain, constitutively activated CACGTG E box-driven reporter genes in vivo. These results indicate a role of Arnt in regulation of a network of target genes that is distinct from that regulated by the Arnt-dioxin receptor complex in dioxin-stimulated cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Separate signaling mechanisms are involved in the control of STAT protein activation and gene regulation via the interleukin 6 response element by the box 3 motif of gp130.

The cytoplasmic receptor sequences required for the transcriptional control via the IL-6 response element (IL-6RE) and the hematopoietin receptor response element (HRRE) in hepatoma cells were defined by transient expression of wild-type and mutant granulocyte-colony stimulating factor receptor-gp130 chimeric receptors. gp130 generated two separate transcriptional signals, one of which was directed to IL-6RE and required an intact box 3 motif, and another, which was directed to HRRE and was box 3-independent. The activation of DNA-binding of STAT3 required the same gp130 domains as the IL-6RE response. A box 3-independent activation of STAT proteins was achieved by overexpression of the kinases JAK2 or TYK2. The increase in the DNA-binding activity of STAT proteins, however, did not result in a corresponding increase in transcription via either IL-6RE or HRRE. The data indicate that activation of the DNA-binding potential of STAT proteins via gp130 is not sufficient to achieve transcriptional up-regulation of specific target genes.

Animals↗

Binding of upstream stimulatory factor to an E-box in the 3'-flanking region stimulates alpha1(I) collagen gene transcription.

Since several lines of evidence implicate the 3'-flanking region in regulating alpha1(I) collagen gene transcription, we analyzed 12. 4-kilobase pairs of 3'-flanking sequence of the murine alpha1(I) collagen gene for transcriptional elements. A region of the 3'-flanking region stimulated expression of the heterologous beta-globin gene promoter in an enhancer trap plasmid and of the alpha1(I) collagen gene promoter in a collagen-luciferase reporter gene construct when located 3' to the luciferase reporter gene. DNase I footprinting analysis demonstrated the presence of three regions where DNA binding proteins specifically interact within this 3'-stimulatory region. Inspection of the DNA sequence revealed a consensus E-box, a binding site for basic helix-loop-helix proteins, in one of the protein binding sites. Mobility shift assays demonstrated that upstream stimulatory factors (USF) USF-1 and USF-2 bind to this E-box. Mutating the E-box in the context of the 3'-flanking region confirmed that it contributes to the enhancement of transcriptional activity of the alpha1(I) collagen gene promoter. Mutations in all three protein binding sites abolished transcriptional activation by the 3'-flanking region, suggesting a complex interaction among the trans-acting factors in enhancing transcriptional activity. Thus, a region of the 3'-flanking region of the alpha1(I) collagen gene stimulates transcription of the alpha1(I) collagen gene promoter, and USF-1 and USF-2 contribute to this transcriptional stimulation.

3T3 Cells↗

Two E-boxes are the focal point of muscle-specific skeletal muscle type 1 Na+ channel gene expression.

We have characterized a group of cis-regulatory elements that control muscle-specific expression of the rat skeletal muscle type 1 sodium channel (SkM1) gene. These elements are located within a 3. 1-kilobase fragment that encompasses the 5'-flanking region, first exon, and part of the first intron of SkM1. We sequenced the region between -1062 and +311 and determined the start sites of transcription; multiple sites were identified between +1 and +30. The basal promoter (-65/+11) lacks cell-type specificity, while an upstream repressor (-174/-65) confers muscle-specific expression. A positive element (+49/+254) increases muscle-specific expression. Within these broad elements, two E boxes play a pivotal role. One E box at -31/-26 within the promoter, acting in part through its ability to bind the myogenic basic helix-loop-helix proteins, recruits additional factor(s) that bind elsewhere within the SkM1 sequence to control positive expression of the gene. A second E box at -90/-85 within the repressor controls negative regulation of the gene and acts through a different complex of proteins. Several of these cis-regulatory elements share both sequence and functional similarities with cis-regulatory elements of the acetylcholine receptor delta-subunit; the different arrangement of these elements may contribute to unique expression patterns for the two genes.

Animals↗

E-box-binding repressor is down-regulated in hepatic stellate cells during up-regulation of mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor-II receptor expression in early hepatic fibrogenesis.

Hepatic stellate cells become activated during the early stages of hepatic injury associated with fibrogenesis. The mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor-II receptor (M6P/IGFIIR) plays an important role in early fibrogenesis by participating in the activation of latent transforming growth factor-beta, a potent inducer of the matrix proteins in activated stellate cells that define the fibrotic phenotype. In this study we examined hepatic stellate cell regulation of M6P/IGFIIR expression and found that M6P/IGFIIR mRNA transcript levels increased in stellate cells from rats exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a potent fibrogenic stimulant. Two E-boxes residing in the proximal promoter of M6P/IGFIIR were found to each bind a novel 75-kDa transcription factor (P75) in quiescent stellate cells of normal livers. This E-box binding was down-regulated as an early response in stellate cells exposed to CCl4, coinciding with increased M6P/IGFIIR transcript levels. Mutagenized E-boxes in M6P/IGFIIR promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter constructs produced a substantial increase in reporter expression when compared with the corresponding native promoter-CAT construct when transfected in culture-activated stellate cells, suggesting P75's role as a repressor. The results indicate P75's participation in the regulation of M6P/IGFIIR transcription in hepatic stellate cells during fibrogenesis.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of a protein binding to the SP6 kappa promoter. A potential role for CArG-box binding factor-A in kappa transcription.

A protein interacting with an A-T-rich region that is a positive control element within the SP6 kappa promoter was purified and identified as CArG-box binding factor-A. The purified protein was shown to interact specifically with the coding strand of single-stranded DNA and, with lower affinity, with double-stranded DNA. A mutation that inhibited binding of the protein to the A-T-rich region also aborted the transcriptional stimulatory effect of the region. Two Ets proteins, PU.1 and elf-1, that have previously been shown to bind to an adjacent DNA element were shown to physically interact with CArG-box binding factor-A. An antiserum raised against the protein recognized two different forms indicating either that different splice-forms of CArG-box binding factor-A are expressed, or that the protein is subject to post-translational modification.

Alternative Splicing↗

The box-1 region of the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor alpha-chain cytoplasmic domain is sufficient for hemopoietic cell proliferation and differentiation.

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that acts on a variety of cell types and regulates cell proliferation and differentiation. The functional receptor for LIF is composed of LIFR alpha-chain (LIFRalpha) and gp130 both of which are shared in the functional receptors for oncostatin M, ciliary neurotrophic factor, and cardiotrophin-1. By using stable transfection of wild-type or cytoplasmic deletion mutants of LIFRalpha together with full-length gp130 into Ba/F3 cells, we found that cells expressing gp130 and an extensively deleted mutant LIFRalpha containing only the box-1 region were capable of proliferating in response to LIF, although LIF-dependent long term growth of these cells was seriously impaired. Using a similar strategy to generate WEHI-3BD+ cells expressing gp130 and wild-type or truncation mutants of LIFRalpha, studies revealed that the box-1 region of the LIFRalpha was also sufficient for LIF-dependent induction of different aspects of differentiation, including up-regulation of macrophage surface marker expression, morphological change, and cell migration in agar culture. However, the C-terminal region of the LIFRalpha, although not essential for intracellular signaling, was important for efficient receptor-mediated ligand internalization. In summary, the membrane-proximal box-1 region plays a dominant role in LIF-induced signal transduction of both proliferation and differentiation.

Cell Differentiation↗

Immunosuppressant PG490 (triptolide) inhibits T-cell interleukin-2 expression at the level of purine-box/nuclear factor of activated T-cells and NF-kappaB transcriptional activation.

PG490 (triptolide) is a diterpene triepoxide with potent immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory properties. PG490 inhibits interleukin(IL)-2 expression by normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and antibody to CD3 (IC50 of 10 ng/ml), and with PMA and ionomycin (Iono, IC50 of 40 ng/ml). In Jurkat T-cells, PG490 inhibits PMA/Iono-stimulated IL-2 transcription. PG490 inhibits the induction of DNA binding activity at the purine-box/antigen receptor response element (ARRE)/nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NF-AT) target sequence but not at the NF-kappaB site. PG490 can completely inhibit transcriptional activation at the purine-box/ARRE/NF-AT and NF-kappaB target DNA sequences triggered by all stimuli examined (PMA, PMA/Iono, tumor necrosis factor-alpha). PG490 also inhibits PMA-stimulated activation of a chimeric transcription factor in which the C-terminal TA1 transactivation domain of NF-kappaB p65 is fused to the DNA binding domain of GAL4. In 16HBE human bronchial epithelial cells, IL-8 expression is regulated predominantly by NF-kappaB, and PG490 but not cyclosporin A can completely inhibit expression of IL-8. The mechanism of PG490 inhibition of cytokine gene expression differs from cyclosporin A and involves nuclear inhibition of transcriptional activation of NF-kappaB and the purine-box regulator operating at the ARRE/NF-AT site at a step after specific DNA binding.

Binding Sites↗

Genomic cloning and promoter analysis of aortic preferentially expressed gene-1. Identification of a vascular smooth muscle-specific promoter mediated by an E box motif.

Aortic preferentially expressed gene-1 (APEG-1) was originally identified as a 1.4-kilobase (kb) transcript preferentially expressed in differentiated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Its expression is markedly down-regulated in de-differentiated VSMC, suggesting a role for APEG-1 in VSMC differentiation. We have now determined that APEG-1 is a single-copy gene in the human, rat, and mouse genomes and have mapped human APEG-1 to chromosome 2q34. To study the molecular mechanisms regulating its expression, we characterized the genomic organization and promoter of mouse APEG-1. APEG-1 spans 4.5 kb in the mouse genome and is composed of five exons. Using reporter gene transfection analysis, we found that a 2. 7-kb APEG-1 5'-flanking sequence directed a high level of promoter activity only in VSMC. Its activity was minimal in five other cell types. A repressor region located within an upstream 685-base pair sequence suppressed the activity of this 2.7-kb promoter. Further deletion and mutation analyses identified an E box motif as a positive regulatory element, which was bound by nuclear protein prepared from VSMC. In conjunction with its flanking sequence, this E box motif confers VSMC-specific enhancer activity to a heterologous SV40 promoter. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an E box motif that mediates gene expression restricted to VSMC.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Homodimer of two F-box proteins betaTrCP1 or betaTrCP2 binds to IkappaBalpha for signal-dependent ubiquitination.

We found previously that overexpression of an F-box protein betaTrCP1 and the structurally related betaTrCP2 augments ubiquitination of phosphorylated IkappaBalpha (pIkappaBalpha) induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), but the relationship of the two homologous betaTrCP proteins remains unknown. Herein we reveal that deletion mutants of betaTrCP1 and betaTrCP2 lacking the F-box domain suppressed ubiquitination and destruction of pIkappaBalpha as well as transcriptional activation of NF-kappaB. The ectopically expressed betaTrCP1 and betaTrCP2 formed both homodimer and heterodimer complexes without displaying the trimer complex. Dimerization of betaTrCP1 and/or betaTrCP2 takes place at their conserved NH(2)-terminal regions, termed a "D-domain" (for dimerization domain), located upstream of the F-box domain. The D-domain was necessary and sufficient for the dimer formation. Intriguingly, the betaTrCP homodimer, but not the heterodimer, was selectively recruited to pIkappaBalpha induced by TNF-alpha. These results indicate that not only betaTrCP1 but also betaTrCP2 participates in the ubiquitination-dependent destruction of IkappaBalpha by forming SCF(betaTrCP1-betaTrCP1) and SCF(betaTrCP2-betaTrCP2) ubiquitin-ligase complexes.

Base Sequence↗

Activation of protein kinase C induces nuclear translocation of RFX1 and down-regulates c-myc via an intron 1 X box in undifferentiated leukemia HL-60 cells.

Treatment of human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) is known to decrease c-myc mRNA by blocking transcription elongation at sites near the first exon/intron border. Treatment of HL-60 cells with either PMA or bryostatin 1, which acutely activates protein kinase C (PKC), decreased the levels of myc mRNA and Myc protein. The inhibition of Myc synthesis accounted for the drop in Myc protein, because PMA treatment had no effect on Myc turnover. Treatment with PMA or bryostatin 1 increased nuclear protein binding to MIE1, a c-myc intron 1 element that defines an RFX1-binding X box. RFX1 antiserum supershifted MIE1-protein complexes. Increased MIE1 binding was independent of protein synthesis and abolished by a selective PKC inhibitor, which also prevented the effect of PMA on myc mRNA and protein levels and Myc synthesis. PMA treatment increased RFX1 in the nuclear fraction and decreased it in the cytosol without affecting total RFX1. Transfection of HL-60 cells with myc reporter gene constructs showed that the RFX1-binding X box was required for the down-regulation of reporter gene expression by PMA. These findings suggest that nuclear translocation and binding of RFX1 to the X box cause the down-regulation of myc expression, which follows acute PKC activation in undifferentiated HL-60 cells.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

A role of basic residues and the putative intercalating phenylalanine of the HMG-1 box B in DNA supercoiling and binding to four-way DNA junctions.

HMG (high mobility group) 1 is a chromosomal protein with two homologous DNA-binding domains, the HMG boxes A and B. HMG-1, like its individual HMG boxes, can recognize structural distortion of DNA, such as four-way DNA junctions (4WJs), that are very likely to have features common to their natural, yet unknown, cellular binding targets. HMG-1 can also bend/loop DNA and introduce negative supercoils in the presence of topoisomerase I in topologically closed DNAs. Results of our gel shift assays demonstrate that mutation of Arg(97) within the extended N-terminal strand of the B domain significantly (>50-fold) decreases affinity of the HMG box for 4WJs and alters the mode of binding without changing the structural specificity for 4WJs. Several basic amino acids of the extended N-terminal strand (Lys(96)/Arg(97)) and helix I (Arg(110)/Lys(114)) of the B domain participate in DNA binding and supercoiling. The putative intercalating hydrophobic Phe(103) of helix I is important for DNA supercoiling but dispensable for binding to supercoiled DNA and 4WJs. We conclude that the B domain of HMG-1 can tolerate substitutions of a number of amino acid residues without abolishing the structure-specific recognition of 4WJs, whereas mutations of most of these residues severely impair the topoisomerase I-mediated DNA supercoiling and change the sign of supercoiling from negative to positive.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Clathrin box in G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2.

beta(1)-Adrenergic receptor (beta(1)AR) shows the resistance to agonist-induced internalization. However, beta(1)AR can internalize as G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is fused to its carboxyl terminus. Internalization of the beta(1)AR and GRK2 fusion protein (beta(1)AR/GRK2) is dependent on dynamin but independent of beta-arrestin and phosphorylation. The beta(1)AR/GRK2 fusion protein internalizes via clathrin-coated pits and is found to co-localize with the endosome that contains transferrin. The fusion proteins consisting of beta(1)AR and various portions of GRK2 reveal that the residues 498-502 in the carboxyl-terminal domain of GRK2 are critical to promote internalization of the fusion proteins. This domain contains a consensus sequence of a clathrin-binding motif defined as a clathrin box. In vitro binding assays show that the residues 498-502 of GRK2 bind the amino-terminal domain of clathrin heavy chain to almost the same extent as beta-arrestin1. The mutation of the clathrin box in the carboxyl-terminal domain of GRK2 results in the loss of the ability to promote internalization of the fusion protein. GRK2 activity increases and then decreases as the concentration of clathrin heavy chain increases. Taken together, these results imply that GRK2 contains a functional clathrin box and directly interacts with clathrin to modulate its function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗