scholarly journals DNA-binding miniproteins based on zinc fingers. Assessment of the interaction using nanopores

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (17) ◽  
pp. 4118-4123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jéssica Rodríguez ◽  
Soraya Learte-Aymamí ◽  
Jesús Mosquera ◽  
Garbiñe Celaya ◽  
David Rodríguez-Larrea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Zinc Fingers ◽  
Force Spectroscopy ◽  
High Affinity

We report a synthetic miniprotein that combines zinc finger modules of the transcription factor GAGA with the AT-hook peptide. This designed chimera binds to extended DNA sites with high affinity and selectivity, as shown by nanopore force spectroscopy.

scholarly journals Kid-1, a putative renal transcription factor: regulation during ontogeny and in response to ischemia and toxic injury

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1933-1942
Author(s):  
R Witzgall ◽  
E O'Leary ◽  
R Gessner ◽  
A J Ouellette ◽  
J V Bonventre
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Zinc Fingers ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Regulation Of Transcription ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Zinc Finger Region ◽  
In Cells

We have identified a new putative transcription factor from the rat kidney, termed Kid-1 (for kidney, ischemia and developmentally regulated gene 1). Kid-1 belongs to the C2H2 class of zinc finger genes. Its mRNA accumulates with age in postnatal renal development and is detected predominantly in the kidney. Kid-1 mRNA levels decline after renal injury secondary to ischemia or folic acid administration, two insults which result in epithelial cell dedifferentiation, followed by regenerative hyperplasia and differentiation. The low expression of Kid-1 early in postnatal development, and when renal tissue is recovering after injury, suggests that the gene product is involved in establishment of a differentiated phenotype and/or regulation of the proliferative response. The deduced protein contains 13 C2H2 zinc fingers at the COOH end in groups of 4 and 9 separated by a 32-amino-acid spacer. There are consensus sites for phosphorylation in the NH2 terminus non-zinc finger region as well as in the spacer region between zinc fingers 4 and 5. A region of the deduced protein shares extensive homology with a catalytic region of Raf kinases, a feature shared only with TFIIE among transcription factors. To determine whether Kid-1 can modulate transcription, a chimeric construct encoding the Kid-1 non-zinc finger region (sense or antisense) and the DNA-binding region of GAL4 was transfected into COS and LLC-PK1 cells together with a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter plasmid containing GAL4 binding sites, driven by either a minimal promoter or a simian virus 40 enhancer. CAT activity was markedly inhibited in cells transfected with the sense construct compared with the activity in cells transfected with the antisense construct. To our knowledge, this pattern of developmental regulation, kidney expression, and regulation of transcription is unique among the C2H2 class of zinc finger-containing DNA-binding proteins.

scholarly journals 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.

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 1786-1795 ◽  
Author(s):  
J F Morris ◽  
R Hromas ◽  
F J Rauscher
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Zinc Fingers ◽  
Consensus Sequences ◽  
Dna Binding Domains ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Gel Shift ◽  
Myeloid Zinc Finger

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.

scholarly journals Kid-1, a putative renal transcription factor: regulation during ontogeny and in response to ischemia and toxic injury.

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1933-1942 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Witzgall ◽  
E O'Leary ◽  
R Gessner ◽  
A J Ouellette ◽  
J V Bonventre
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Zinc Fingers ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Regulation Of Transcription ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Zinc Finger Region ◽  
In Cells

We have identified a new putative transcription factor from the rat kidney, termed Kid-1 (for kidney, ischemia and developmentally regulated gene 1). Kid-1 belongs to the C2H2 class of zinc finger genes. Its mRNA accumulates with age in postnatal renal development and is detected predominantly in the kidney. Kid-1 mRNA levels decline after renal injury secondary to ischemia or folic acid administration, two insults which result in epithelial cell dedifferentiation, followed by regenerative hyperplasia and differentiation. The low expression of Kid-1 early in postnatal development, and when renal tissue is recovering after injury, suggests that the gene product is involved in establishment of a differentiated phenotype and/or regulation of the proliferative response. The deduced protein contains 13 C2H2 zinc fingers at the COOH end in groups of 4 and 9 separated by a 32-amino-acid spacer. There are consensus sites for phosphorylation in the NH2 terminus non-zinc finger region as well as in the spacer region between zinc fingers 4 and 5. A region of the deduced protein shares extensive homology with a catalytic region of Raf kinases, a feature shared only with TFIIE among transcription factors. To determine whether Kid-1 can modulate transcription, a chimeric construct encoding the Kid-1 non-zinc finger region (sense or antisense) and the DNA-binding region of GAL4 was transfected into COS and LLC-PK1 cells together with a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter plasmid containing GAL4 binding sites, driven by either a minimal promoter or a simian virus 40 enhancer. CAT activity was markedly inhibited in cells transfected with the sense construct compared with the activity in cells transfected with the antisense construct. To our knowledge, this pattern of developmental regulation, kidney expression, and regulation of transcription is unique among the C2H2 class of zinc finger-containing DNA-binding proteins.

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

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 1786-1795
Author(s):  
J F Morris ◽  
R Hromas ◽  
F J Rauscher
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Zinc Fingers ◽  
Consensus Sequences ◽  
Dna Binding Domains ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Gel Shift ◽  
Myeloid Zinc Finger

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.

Only two of the five zinc fingers of the eukaryotic transcriptional repressor PRDI-BF1 are required for sequence-specific DNA binding

1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1940-1949
Author(s):  
A D Keller ◽  
T Maniatis
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Regulatory Element ◽  
Zinc Fingers ◽  
Transcriptional Repressor ◽  
Gene Promoter ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Necessary And Sufficient ◽  
Sequence Requirements

The eukaryotic transcriptional repressor PRDI-BF1 contains five zinc fingers of the C2H2 type, and the protein binds specifically to PRDI, a 14-bp regulatory element of the beta interferon gene promoter. We have investigated the amino acid sequence requirements for specific binding to PRDI and found that the five zinc fingers and a short stretch of amino acids N terminal to the first finger are necessary and sufficient for PRDI-specific binding. The contribution of individual zinc fingers to DNA binding was investigated by inserting them in various combinations into another zinc finger-containing DNA-binding protein whose own fingers had been removed. We found that insertion of PRDI-BF1 zinc fingers 1 and 2 confer PRDI-binding activity on the recipient protein. In contrast, the insertion of PRDI-BF1 zinc fingers 2 through 5, the insertion of zinc finger 1 or 2 alone, and the insertion of zinc fingers 1 and 2 in reverse order did not confer PRDI-binding activity. We conclude that the first two PRDI-BF1 zinc fingers together are sufficient for the sequence-specific recognition of PRDI.

Transcriptional activity of the zinc finger protein NGFI-A is influenced by its interaction with a cellular factor

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6858-6865
Author(s):  
M W Russo ◽  
C Matheny ◽  
J Milbrandt
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Zinc Fingers ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Dna Binding Domain ◽  
Activation Domains ◽  
Cellular Factor ◽  
Inhibitory Domain

NGFI-A is an immediate-early gene that encodes a transcription factor whose DNA-binding domain is composed of three zinc fingers. To define the domains responsible for its transcriptional activity, a mutational analysis was conducted with an NGFI-A molecule in which the zinc fingers were replaced by the GAL4 DNA-binding domain. In a cotransfection assay, four activation domains were found within NGFI-A. Three of the activation domains are similar to those characterized previously: one contains a large number of acidic residues, another is enriched in proline and glutamine residues, and another has some sequence homology to a domain found in Krox-20. The fourth bears no resemblance to previously described activation domains. NGFI-A also contains an inhibitory domain whose removal resulted in a 15-fold increase in NGFI-A activity. This increase in activity occurred in all mammalian cell types tested but not in Drosophila S2 cells. Competition experiments in which increasing amounts of the inhibitory domain were cotransfected along with NGFI-A demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in NGFI-A activity. A point mutation within the inhibitory domain of the competitor (I293F) abolished this property. When the analogous mutation was introduced into native NGFI-A, a 17-fold increase in activity was observed. The inhibitory effect therefore appears to be the result of an interaction between this domain and a titratable cellular factor which is weakened by this mutation. Downmodulation of transcription factor activity through interaction with a cellular factor has been observed in several other systems, including the regulation of transcription factor E2F by retinoblastoma protein, and in studies of c-Jun.

Relative Contributions of the Zinc Fingers of Transcription Factor IIIA to the Energetics of DNA Binding

1994 ◽  
Vol 244 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen R. Clemens ◽  
Penghua Zhang ◽  
Xiubei Liao ◽  
Steven J. McBryant ◽  
Peter E. Wright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Zinc Fingers ◽  
Transcription Factor Iiia

scholarly journals An unusual arrangement of 13 zinc fingers in the vertebrate gene Z13

1995 ◽  
Vol 311 (1) ◽  
pp. 219-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
T C Schulz ◽  
B Hopwood ◽  
P D Rathjen ◽  
J R Wells
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Structural Organization ◽  
Zinc Fingers ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Protein Domain ◽  
Nucleic Acid Binding ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Wide Range

The zinc finger is a protein domain that imparts specific nucleic acid-binding activity on a wide range of functionally important proteins. In this paper we report the molecular cloning and characterization of a novel murine zinc-finger gene, mZ13. Analysis of mZ13 cDNAs revealed that the gene expresses a 794-amino-acid protein encoded by a 2.7 kb transcript. The protein has an unusual arrangement of 13 zinc fingers into a ‘hand’ of 12 tandem fingers and a single isolated finger near the C-terminus. This structural organization is conserved with the probable chicken homologue, cZ13. mZ13 also contained an additional domain at the N-terminus which has previously been implicated in the regulation of zinc-finger transcription factor DNA-binding, via protein-protein interactions. mZ13 expression was detected in a wide range of murine embryonic and adult tissues. The structural organization of mZ13 and its expression profile suggest that it may function as a housekeeping DNA-binding protein that regulates the expression of specific genes.

Functional Differences in GATA-1 Affinity for Double Versus Single GATA-1 Binding Sites Dictate Synergistic Versus Antagonistic Interactions of PU.1 and GATA-1 in Myeloid Gene Transcription.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 1608-1608
Author(s):  
Jian Du ◽  
Dharmesh Vyas ◽  
Qing Xi ◽  
Steven J. Ackerman
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Gene Transcription ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Zinc Fingers ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Dual Versus ◽  
P2 Promoter ◽  
Dual Site

Abstract Instructive roles for both GATA-1 and PU.1 have been demonstrated in hematopoiesis, and recent studies have identified both antagonistic and synergistic interactions between them in myeloid gene transcription and lineage development. In prior studies, we reported that PU.1 synergizes with rather than antagonizes GATA-1 for transactivation of a hallmark eosinophil gene, the major basic protein P2 promoter (MBP-P2), which possesses a novel dual (double) GATA-binding site, similar to the palindromic double site in the murine GATA-1 control locus that may specify eosinophil lineage-specific expression of GATA-1 and eosinophil development. To address the transcriptional mechanism for PU.1-GATA-1 synergy through the MBP-P2 dual GATA site, we investigated GATA-1 and PU.1 physical and functonal interactions via their binding sites in the MBP-P2 promoter. DNA binding affinities of GATA-1 and its C- versus N-terminal zinc fingers were assessed for single versus double GATA sites in the presence or absence of PU.1. Our results show that the dual GATA site strongly binds full length GATA-1 with higher affinity than either of the single sites, using both zinc fingers, but that mutant GATA-1 proteins with C-finger or N-finger deletions retain their ability to bind, albeit at lower affinity, to the dual site. DNA binding activities of the two zinc fingers with the dual GATA site were confirmed using peptides containing only the C-finger or N-finger region. Of note, formation of GATA-1 complexes with the dual GATA site was not inhibited by the addition of PU.1, whereas formation of binding complexes for mutants of GATA-1 containing only the C- or N-finger region could be completely inhibited in a dose-response fashion by PU.1. These unique features of PU.1/GATA-1 interactions on a dual versus single GATA-1 site were confirmed using peptides containing only the C- or N-finger regions of GATA-1. Our findings indicate that both zinc fingers of GATA-1 are involved in formation of the high-affinity GATA-1 complex with the dual site. Importantly, we show that the higher affinity dual GATA-1 site complex is not affected by the addition of PU.1, whereas formation of the binding complex with a single GATA-1 site is eliminated by PU.1, emphasizing the different mechanisms of GATA-1/PU.1 interactions on dual versus single GATA binding sites. Functional analyses by transactivation confirmed that synergistic activation of the MBP-P2 promoter by GATA-1 and PU.1 is mediated by their protein-protein interactions through this unique high affinity dual GATA-1 binding site. We suggest two possible mechanisms for PU.1/GATA-1 synergy on dual GATA sites: (1) PU.1 may change GATA-1 conformation and its high affinity for the dual site, enhancing its availability for interaction with the basal transcriptional machinery. Alternatively, (2) PU.1 could impede interactions of GATA-1 with a co-repressor, e.g. FOG-1, which we and others have shown represses GATA-1 function in the eosinophil lineage.

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