scholarly journals Use of a fusion protein to obtain crystals suitable for X-ray analysis: Crystallization of a GST-fused protein containing the DNA-binding domain of DNA replication-related element-binding factor, DREF

1997 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 1783-1786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Munekazu Kuge ◽  
Yoshifumi Fujii ◽  
Toshiyuki Shimizu ◽  
Toshio Hakoshima ◽  
Fumiko Hirose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Dna Binding Domain ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Binding Factor ◽  
Related Element

scholarly journals Role of GCR2 in transcriptional activation of yeast glycolytic genes.

1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 3834-3842 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Uemura ◽  
Y Jigami
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Dna Binding Domain ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Lacz Expression ◽  
Genetic Method ◽  
Potential Interactions

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae GCR2 gene affects expression of most of the glycolytic genes. We report the nucleotide sequence of GCR2, which can potentially encode a 58,061-Da protein. There is a small cluster of asparagines near the center and a C-terminal region that would be highly charged but overall neutral. Fairly homologous regions were found between Gcr2 and Gcr1 proteins. To test potential interactions, the genetic method of S. Fields and O. Song (Nature [London] 340:245-246, 1989), which uses protein fusions of candidate gene products with, respectively, the N-terminal DNA-binding domain of Gal4 and the C-terminal activation domain II, assessing restoration of Gal4 function, was used. In a delta gal4 delta gal80 strain, double transformation by plasmids containing, respectively, a Gal4 (transcription-activating region)/Gcr1 fusion and a Gal4 (DNA-binding domain)/Gcr2 fusion activated lacZ expression from an integrated GAL1/lacZ fusion, indicating reconstitution of functional Gal4 through the interaction of Gcr1 and Gcr2 proteins. The Gal4 (transcription-activating region)/Gcr1 fusion protein alone complemented the defects of both gcr1 and gcr2 strains. Furthermore, a Rap1/Gcr2 fusion protein partially complemented the defects of gcr1 strains. These results suggest that Gcr2 has transcriptional activation activity and that the GCR1 and GCR2 gene products function together.

scholarly journals Redox regulation of DNA binding activity of DREF (DNA replication-related element binding factor) in Drosophila

2004 ◽  
Vol 378 (3) ◽  
pp. 833-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae-Yeong CHOI ◽  
S. Young PARK ◽  
Ho-Sung KANG ◽  
Jae-Hun CHEONG ◽  
Han-Do KIM ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Redox State ◽  
Redox Regulation ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Dna Binding Activity ◽  
Cell Extracts ◽  
Binding Factor ◽  
Related Element ◽  
Intracellular Redox

DREF [DRE (DNA replication-related element) binding factor] is an 80 kDa polypeptide homodimer which plays an important role in regulating cell proliferation-related genes. Both DNA binding and dimer formation activities are associated with residues 16–115 of the N-terminal region. However, the mechanisms by which DREF dimerization and DNA binding are regulated remain unknown. Here, we report that the DNA binding activity of DREF is regulated by a redox mechanism, and that the cysteine residues are involved in this regulation. Electrophoretic mobility shift analysis using Drosophila Kc cell extracts or recombinant DREF proteins indicated that the DNA binding domain is sufficient for redox regulation. Site-directed mutagenesis and transient transfection assays showed that Cys59 and/or Cys62 are critical both for DNA binding and for redox regulation, whereas Cys91 is dispensable. In addition, experiments using Kc cells indicated that the DNA binding activity and function of DREF are affected by the intracellular redox state. These findings give insight into the exact nature of DREF function in the regulation of target genes by the intracellular redox state.

scholarly journals Rgg protein structure–function and inhibition by cyclic peptide compounds

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (16) ◽  
pp. 5177-5182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijay Parashar ◽  
Chaitanya Aggarwal ◽  
Michael J. Federle ◽  
Matthew B. Neiditch
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Structure Function ◽  
Cyclosporin A ◽  
Crystal Structures ◽  
Disulfide Bond ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Dna Binding Domain ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Peptide Pheromone ◽  
Dimerization Interface

Peptide pheromone cell–cell signaling (quorum sensing) regulates the expression of diverse developmental phenotypes (including virulence) in Firmicutes, which includes common human pathogens, e.g.,Streptococcus pyogenesandStreptococcus pneumoniae. Cytoplasmic transcription factors known as “Rgg proteins” are peptide pheromone receptors ubiquitous in Firmicutes. Here we present X-ray crystal structures of aStreptococcusRgg protein alone and in complex with a tight-binding signaling antagonist, the cyclic undecapeptide cyclosporin A. To our knowledge, these represent the first Rgg protein X-ray crystal structures. Based on the results of extensive structure–function analysis, we reveal the peptide pheromone-binding site and the mechanism by which cyclosporin A inhibits activation of the peptide pheromone receptor. Guided by the Rgg–cyclosporin A complex structure, we predicted that the nonimmunosuppressive cyclosporin A analog valspodar would inhibit Rgg activation. Indeed, we found that, like cyclosporin A, valspodar inhibits peptide pheromone activation of conserved Rgg proteins in medically relevantStreptococcusspecies. Finally, the crystal structures presented here revealed that the Rgg protein DNA-binding domains are covalently linked across their dimerization interface by a disulfide bond formed by a highly conserved cysteine. The DNA-binding domain dimerization interface observed in our structures is essentially identical to the interfaces previously described for other members of the XRE DNA-binding domain family, but the presence of an intermolecular disulfide bond buried in this interface appears to be unique. We hypothesize that this disulfide bond may, under the right conditions, affect Rgg monomer–dimer equilibrium, stabilize Rgg conformation, or serve as a redox-sensitive switch.

scholarly journals Regulation of Cell Cycle Transcription Factor Swi4 through Auto-Inhibition of DNA Binding

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 6729-6741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Baetz ◽  
Brenda Andrews
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Terminal Region ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Intramolecular Interactions ◽  
Dna Binding Domain ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Binding Factor

ABSTRACTInSaccharomyces cerevisiae, two transcription factors, SBF (SCB binding factor) and MBF (MCB binding factor), promote the induction of gene expression at the G1/S-phase transition of the mitotic cell cycle. Swi4 and Mbp1 are the DNA binding components of SBF and MBF, respectively. The Swi6 protein is a common subunit of both transcription factors and is presumed to play a regulatory role. SBF binding to its target sequences, the SCBs, is a highly regulated event and requires the association of Swi4 with Swi6 through their C-terminal domains. Swi4 binding to SCBs is restricted to the late M and G1phases, when Swi6 is localized to the nucleus. We show that in contrast to Swi6, Swi4 remains nuclear throughout the cell cycle. This finding suggests that the DNA binding domain of Swi4 is inaccessible in the full-length protein when not complexed with Swi6. To explore this hypothesis, we expressed Swi4 and Swi6 in insect cells by using the baculovirus system. We determined that partially purified Swi4 cannot bind SCBs in the absence of Swi6. However, Swi4 derivatives carrying point mutations or alterations in the extreme C terminus were able to bind DNA or activate transcription in the absence of Swi6, and the C terminus of Swi4 inhibited Swi4 derivatives from binding DNA intrans. Full-length Swi4 was determined to be monomeric in solution, suggesting an intramolecular mechanism for auto-inhibition of binding to DNA by Swi4. We detected a direct in vitro interaction between a C-terminal fragment of Swi4 and the N-terminal 197 amino acids of Swi4, which contain the DNA binding domain. Together, our data suggest that intramolecular interactions involving the C-terminal region of Swi4 physically prevent the DNA binding domain from binding SCBs. The interaction of the carboxy-terminal region of Swi4 with Swi6 alleviates this inhibition, allowing Swi4 to bind DNA.

scholarly journals A specific and unusual nuclear localization signal in the DNA binding domain of the Rev-erb orphan receptors

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Chopin-Delannoy ◽  
S Thenot ◽  
F Delaunay ◽  
E Buisine ◽  
A Begue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Nuclear Receptors ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Dna Binding Domain ◽  
Protein Fusion ◽  
Orphan Receptors ◽  
Amino Terminal

The orphan receptors Rev-erbalpha and Rev-erbbeta are members of the nuclear receptors superfamily and act as transcriptional repressors. Rev-erbalpha is expressed with a robust circadian rhythm and is involved in liver metabolism through repression of the ApoA1 gene, but no role has been yet defined for Rev-erbbeta. To gain better understanding of their function and mode of action, we characterized the proteins encoded by these two genes. Both Rev-erbalpha and Rev-erbbeta proteins were nuclear when transiently transfected in COS-1 cells. The major nuclear location signal (NLS) of Rev-erbalpha is in the amino-terminal region of the protein. Fusion of green fluorescent protein (GFP) to the amino terminus of Rev-erbalpha deletion mutants showed that the NLS is located within a 53 amino acid segment of the DNA binding domain (DBD). The homologous region of Rev-erbbeta fused to GFP also targeted the fusion protein to the nucleus, suggesting that the location of this NLS is conserved among all the Rev-erb group members. Interestingly, members of the phylogenetically closest nuclear orphan receptor group (ROR), which exhibit 58% amino acid identity with Rev-erb in the DBD, do not have their NLS located within the DBD. GFP/DBD. RORalpha or GFP/DBD.RORbeta remained cytoplasmic, in contrast to GFP/DBD. Rev-erb fusion proteins. Alignment of human Rev-erb and ROR DBD amino acid sequences predicted that the two basic residues, K167 and R168, located just upstream from the second zinc finger, could play a critical part in the nuclear localization of Rev-erb proteins. Substitution of these two residues with those found in ROR, in the GFP/DBD. Rev-erb context, resulted in cytoplasmic proteins. In contrast, the reverse mutation of the GFP/DBD. RORalpha towards the Rev-erbalpha residues targeted the fusion protein to the nucleus. Our data demonstrate that Rev-erb proteins contain a functional NLS in the DBD. Its location is unusual within the nuclear receptor superfamily and suggests that Rev-erb orphan receptors control their intracellular localization via a mechanism different from that of other nuclear receptors.

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