scholarly journals Evolutionary Analysis of the Zinc Finger and Homeoboxes Family of Proteins Identifies Multiple Conserved Domains and a Common Early Chordate Ancestor

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-184
Author(s):  
Alexandra N Nail ◽  
Jeramiah J Smith ◽  
Martha L Peterson ◽  
Brett T Spear
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Zinc Fingers ◽  
Evolutionary Analysis ◽  
Vertebrate Lineage ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Small Family ◽  
Sea Squirt ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Carboxy Terminal

Abstract The Zinc Fingers and Homeoboxes (Zhx) proteins, Zhx1, Zhx2, and Zhx3, comprise a small family of proteins containing two amino-terminal C2–H2 zinc fingers and four or five carboxy-terminal homeodomains. These multiple homeodomains make Zhx proteins unusual because the majority of homeodomain-containing proteins contain a single homeodomain. Studies in cultured cells and mice suggest that Zhx proteins can function as positive or negative transcriptional regulators. Zhx2 regulates numerous hepatic genes, and all three Zhx proteins have been implicated in different cancers. Because Zhx proteins contain multiple predicted homeodomains, are associated with interesting physiological traits, and seem to be only present in the vertebrate lineage, we investigated the evolutionary history of this small family by comparing Zhx homologs from a wide range of chordates. This analysis indicates that the zinc finger motifs and homeodomains are highly similar among all Zhx proteins and also identifies additional Zhx-specific conserved regions, including a 13 amino acid amino-terminal motif that is nearly identical among all gnathostome Zhx proteins. We found single Zhx proteins in the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and in the nonvertebrate chordates sea squirt (Ciona intestinalis) and lancelet (Branchiostoma floridae); these Zhx proteins are most similar to gnathostome Zhx3. Based on our analyses, we propose that a duplication of the primordial Zhx gene gave rise to Zhx3 and the precursor to Zhx1 and Zhx2. A subsequent tandem duplication of this precursor generated Zhx1 and Zhx2 found in gnathostomes.

Mouse Zfx protein is similar to Zfy-2: each contains an acidic activating domain and 13 zinc fingers

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 681-688
Author(s):  
G Mardon ◽  
S W Luoh ◽  
E M Simpson ◽  
G Gill ◽  
L G Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
Zinc Fingers ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Acid Protein ◽  
Carboxy Terminal ◽  
Zfy Genes ◽  
Amino Acid Protein

The Zfy gene is located on the Y chromosome of placental mammals and encodes a zinc finger protein which may serve as the primary sex-determining signal. A related gene, Zfx, is similarly conserved on the X chromosome. Unlike that in most mammals, the mouse genome contains four homologous zinc finger loci: Zfy-1, Zfy-2, Zfx, and Zfa (on an autosome). We report that, in contrast to the mouse Zfy genes, Zfx is widely transcribed in embryos, newborns, and adults, both male and female. Moreover, Zfx transcripts contain long 3' untranslated sequences which are phylogenetically conserved. Zfa is a processed gene derived from Zfx. An analysis of cDNA clones demonstrated that Zfx encodes a 799-amino-acid protein that is 70% identical to the mouse Zfy-1 and Zfy-2 proteins. Zfx, Zfy-1, and Zfy-2 contain highly acidic amino-terminal domains and carboxy-terminal regions containing 13 zinc fingers. When fused to the DNA-binding domain of GAL4, the acidic domains of Zfx and Zfy-2 activated transcription in yeast cells.

scholarly journals Mouse Zfx protein is similar to Zfy-2: each contains an acidic activating domain and 13 zinc fingers.

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 681-688 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Mardon ◽  
S W Luoh ◽  
E M Simpson ◽  
G Gill ◽  
L G Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
Zinc Fingers ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Acid Protein ◽  
Carboxy Terminal ◽  
Zfy Genes ◽  
Amino Acid Protein

The Zfy gene is located on the Y chromosome of placental mammals and encodes a zinc finger protein which may serve as the primary sex-determining signal. A related gene, Zfx, is similarly conserved on the X chromosome. Unlike that in most mammals, the mouse genome contains four homologous zinc finger loci: Zfy-1, Zfy-2, Zfx, and Zfa (on an autosome). We report that, in contrast to the mouse Zfy genes, Zfx is widely transcribed in embryos, newborns, and adults, both male and female. Moreover, Zfx transcripts contain long 3' untranslated sequences which are phylogenetically conserved. Zfa is a processed gene derived from Zfx. An analysis of cDNA clones demonstrated that Zfx encodes a 799-amino-acid protein that is 70% identical to the mouse Zfy-1 and Zfy-2 proteins. Zfx, Zfy-1, and Zfy-2 contain highly acidic amino-terminal domains and carboxy-terminal regions containing 13 zinc fingers. When fused to the DNA-binding domain of GAL4, the acidic domains of Zfx and Zfy-2 activated transcription in yeast cells.

Disruption of dynamic cell surface architecture of NIH3T3 fibroblasts by the N-terminal domains of moesin and ezrin: in vivo imaging with GFP fusion proteins

1999 ◽  
Vol 112 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.R. Amieva ◽  
P. Litman ◽  
L. Huang ◽  
E. Ichimaru ◽  
H. Furthmayr
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Cell Behavior ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Carboxy Terminal Domain ◽  
Carboxy Terminal

Lamellipodia, filopodia, microspikes and retraction fibers are characteristic features of a dynamic and continuously changing cell surface architecture and moesin, ezrin and radixin are thought to function in these microextensions as reversible links between plasma membrane proteins and actin microfilaments. Full-length and truncated domains of the three proteins were fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP), expressed in NIH3T3 cells, and distribution and behaviour of cells were analysed by using digitally enhanced differential interference contrast (DIC) and fluorescence video microscopy. The amino-terminal (N-)domains of all three proteins localize to the plasma membrane and fluorescence recordings parallel the dynamic changes in cell surface morphology observed by DIC microscopy of cultured cells. Expression of this domain, however, significantly affects cell surface architecture by the formation of abnormally long and fragile filopodia that poorly attach and retract abnormally. Even more striking are abundant irregular, branched and motionless membraneous structures that accumulate during retraction of lamellipodia. These are devoid of actin, endogenous moesin, ezrin and radixin, but contain the GFP-labeled domain. While a large proportion of endogenous proteins can be extracted with non-ionic detergents as in untransfected control cells, >90% of N-moesin and >60% of N-ezrin and N-radixin remain insoluble. The minimal size of the domain of moesin required for membrane localization and change in behavior includes residues 1–320. Deletions of amino acid residues from either end result in diffuse intracellular distribution, but also in normal cell behavior. Expression of GFP-fusions of full-length moesin or its carboxy-terminal domain has no effect on cell behavior during the observation period of 6–8 hours. The data suggest that, in the absence of the carboxy-terminal domain, N-moesin, -ezrin and -radixin interact tightly with the plasma membrane and interfere with normal functions of endogeneous proteins mainly during retraction.

Radioimmunoassay for the pyridinoline cross-linked carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen: a new serum marker of bone collagen degradation

1993 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 635-640 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Risteli ◽  
I Elomaa ◽  
S Niemi ◽  
A Novamo ◽  
L Risteli
Keyword(s):  
Type I Collagen ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Bone Collagen ◽  
Collagen Molecule ◽  
Type I ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Carboxy Terminal

Abstract We developed a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the carboxy-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (ICTP), cross-linked with the helical domain of another type I collagen molecule, after isolation from human femoral bone. The cross-linked peptide was liberated by digesting insoluble, denatured bone collagen either with bacterial collagenase or with trypsin, and purified by two successive reversed-phase separations on HPLC, with monitoring of pyridinoline-specific fluorescence. The purity of the peptide was verified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and its origin in the type I collagen fibers was determined by amino-terminal amino acid sequencing. Polyclonal antibodies and a separation reagent containing second antibody and polyethylene glycol are used in the RIA. An immunologically identical, somewhat larger antigen is present in human serum; its concentration increases in multiple myeloma and in rheumatoid arthritis. The ICTP antigen seems to be cleared from the circulation by the kidneys, because glomerular filtration rates that are two-thirds of normal or less are associated with increased circulating ICTP concentrations. The CVs of the method are between 3% and 8% for a wide range of concentrations. The analysis of 40 serum samples can be completed in 4 h.

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.

scholarly journals Utilization of Chimeras between Human (HM-175) and Simian (AGM-27) Strains of Hepatitis A Virus To Study the Molecular Basis of Virulence

1998 ◽  
Vol 72 (9) ◽  
pp. 7467-7475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopa Raychaudhuri ◽  
Sugantha Govindarajan ◽  
Max Shapiro ◽  
Robert H. Purcell ◽  
and Suzanne U. Emerson
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Kinetic Studies ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
Saguinus Mystax ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Carboxy Terminal

ABSTRACT Chimeras between human (HM-175) and simian (AGM-27) strains of hepatitis A virus (HAV) were constructed to evaluate the effect of the 2C gene of AGM-27 on HAV replication in cell culture and virulence in tamarins (Saguinus mystax) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Kinetic studies and radioimmunofocus assays demonstrated that replacement of the 2C gene of HAV/7, a cell culture-adapted strain of HM-175, with that of AGM-27 drastically reduced the ability of the virus to replicate in cultured cells. Intragenic chimeras containing AGM-27 sequences in either the 5′ or 3′ half of the 2C gene replicated in cell culture at an intermediate level. Whereas HAV/7 is attenuated for tamarins, a chimera containing the simian virus 2C gene in the HAV/7 background was virulent in tamarins, demonstrating that the simian virus 2C gene alone can confer the phenotype of virulence to an otherwise attenuated virus. Clusters of AGM-27-specific residues near both ends of the 2C protein were required for virulence since a chimera containing AGM-27 sequences in the carboxy-terminal half of 2C was partially attenuated for tamarins while one containing AGM-27 sequences only in the amino-terminal half of 2C was even more attenuated. Chimeras containing either the entire or only the 3′ half of the simian virus 2C gene in the HAV/7 background were attenuated for chimpanzees.

scholarly journals Importance of Basic Residues in the Nucleocapsid Sequence for Retrovirus Gag Assembly and Complementation Rescue

1998 ◽  
Vol 72 (11) ◽  
pp. 9034-9044 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Bradford Bowzard ◽  
Robert P. Bennett ◽  
Neel K. Krishna ◽  
Sandra M. Ernst ◽  
Alan Rein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Zinc Fingers ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Foamy Virus ◽  
Gag Proteins ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Zinc Finger Motifs ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACT The Gag proteins of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) contain small interaction (I) domains within their nucleocapsid (NC) sequences. These overlap the zinc finger motifs and function to provide the proper density to viral particles. There are two zinc fingers and at least two I domains within these Gag proteins. To more thoroughly characterize the important sequence features and properties of I domains, we analyzed Gag proteins that contain one or no zinc finger motifs. Chimeric proteins containing the amino-terminal half of RSV Gag and various portions of the carboxy terminus of murine leukemia virus (MLV) (containing one zinc finger) Gag had only one I domain, whereas similar chimeras with human foamy virus (HFV) (containing no zinc fingers) Gag had at least two. Mutational analysis of the MLV NC sequence and inspection of I domain sequences within the zinc-fingerless C terminus of HFV Gag suggested that clusters of basic residues, but not the zinc finger motif residues themselves, are required for the formation of particles of proper density. In support of this, a simple string of strongly basic residues was found to be able to substitute for the RSV I domains. We also explored the possibility that differences in I domains (e.g., their number) account for differences in the ability of Gag proteins to be rescued into particles when they are unable to bind to membranes. Previously published experiments have shown that such membrane-binding mutants of RSV and HIV (two I domains) can be rescued but that those of MLV (one I domain) cannot. Complementation rescue experiments with RSV-MLV chimeras now map this difference to the NC sequence of MLV. Importantly, the same RSV-MLV chimeras could be rescued by complementation when the block to budding was after, rather than before, transport to the membrane. These results suggest that MLV Gag molecules begin to interact at a much later time after synthesis than those of RSV and HIV.

scholarly journals The Drosophila Broad-Complex encodes a family of related proteins containing zinc fingers.

Genetics ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
P R DiBello ◽  
D A Withers ◽  
C A Bayer ◽  
J W Fristrom ◽  
G M Guild
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Common Core ◽  
Zinc Fingers ◽  
P Element ◽  
Binding Potential ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Late Gene Expression ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Related Proteins ◽  
Broad Complex

Abstract The Broad-Complex (BR-C) is essential for metamorphosis in Drosophila melanogaster. This locus is coextensive with the 2B5 ecdysone-responsive early puff and is necessary for puffing and transcription of many subsequently activated late genes in the developing salivary gland. Mapping of 31 cDNA clones indicates that approximately 100 kb of the genome is devoted to the synthesis of many BR-C RNAs. Sequence analyses of these cDNA clones show that the BR-C encodes a family of related proteins characterized by a common core amino-terminal domain fused to alternate carboxy domains each containing a pair of zinc fingers. Most proteins also contain domains rich in distinctive amino acids located between the common core and zinc finger regions. BR-C mutant alleles resulting from chromosomal rearrangements at 2B5 are associated with deletions of 5'-untranslated sequences, separation of the core coding domain from the downstream zinc finger domains, or a P element insertional disruption of a zinc finger coding sequence. We infer that the BR-C directly regulates late gene expression by specifying the synthesis of a family of proteins with DNA binding potential.

scholarly journals Fibulin is an extracellular matrix and plasma glycoprotein with repeated domain structure.

1990 ◽  
Vol 111 (6) ◽  
pp. 3155-3164 ◽  
Author(s):  
W S Argraves ◽  
H Tran ◽  
W H Burgess ◽  
K Dickerson
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Loop Structure ◽  
Terminal Portion ◽  
Cultured Fibroblasts ◽  
Cell Monolayers ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Albumin Gene ◽  
Plasma Glycoprotein ◽  
Carboxy Terminal

We have studied the expression of fibulin in cultured fibroblasts and determined its primary structure by cDNA cloning. Our results show that fibulin is a secreted glycoprotein that becomes incorporated into a fibrillar extracellular matrix when expressed by cultured cells or added exogenously to cell monolayers. In addition, we find that fibulin is present in plasma at a level of 33 +/- 3 micrograms/ml. Sequencing of multiple fibulin cDNAs indicates that a process of alternative splicing results in the expression of three fibulin transcripts. The transcripts encode overlapping polypeptides differing only in carboxy-terminal segments. Common to the three predicted forms of fibulin is a unique 537-amino acid-long cysteine-rich polypeptide and a 29-residue signal peptide. The amino-terminal portion of fibulin contains a repeated element with potential disulfide loop structure resembling that of the complement component anaphylatoxins C3a, C4a, and C5a as well as proteins of the albumin gene family. The bulk of the remaining portion of the molecule is a series of nine EGF-like repeats.

Interaction Between Mutations in the suppressor of Hairy wing and modifier of mdg4 Genes of Drosophila melunogaster Affecting the Phenotype of gypsy-Induced Mutations

Genetics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 142 (2) ◽  
pp. 425-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel Georgiev ◽  
Marina Kozycina
Keyword(s):  
Mutagenic Effect ◽  
Induced Mutations ◽  
Binding Region ◽  
Direct Inhibition ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Acidic Domain ◽  
Complete Inactivation ◽  
Insulation Effect ◽  
Gypsy Retrotransposon ◽  
Carboxy Terminal

Abstract The suppressor of Hairy-wing [su(Hw)] protein mediates the mutagenic effect of the gypsy retrotransposon by repressing the function of transcriptional enhancers located distally from the promoter with respect to the position of the su(Hw)-binding region. Mutations in a second gene, modifier of mdg4, also affect the gypsy-induced phenotype. Two major effects of the mod(mdg4)lul mutation can be distinguished: the interference with insulation by the su(Hw)-binding region and direct inhibition of gene expression that is not dependent on the su(Hw)-binding region position. The mod(mdg4)lul mutation partially suppresses ct6, scD1 and Hw1 mutations, possibly by interfering with the insulation effect of the su(Hw)-binding region. An example of the second effect of mod(mdg4)lul is a complete inactivation of yellow expression in combination with the y  2 allele. Phenotypic analyses of flies with combinations of mod(mdg4)lul and different su(Hw) mutations, or with constructions carrying deletions of the acidic domains of the su(Hw) protein, suggest that the carboxy-terminal acidic domain is important for direct inhibition of yellow transcription in bristles, while the amino-terminal acidic domain is more essential for insulation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document