Convergence of Ets- and notch-related structural motifs in a heteromeric DNA binding complex

A domain of TEL conserved in a subset of ETS proteins defines a specific oligomerization interface essential to the mitogenic properties of the TEL-PDGFR beta oncoprotein

TEL is a novel member of the ETS family of transcriptional regulators which is frequently involved in human leukemias as the result of specific chromosomal translocations. We show here by co-immunoprecipitation and GST chromatography analyses that TEL and TEL-derived fusion proteins form homotypic oligomers in vitro and in vivo. Deletion mutagenesis identifies the TEL oligomerization domain as a 65 amino acid region which is conserved in a subset of the ETS proteins including ETS-1, ETS-2, FLI-1, ERG-2 and GABP alpha in vertebrates and PNTP2, YAN and ELG in Drosophila. TEL-induced oligomerization is shown to be essential for the constitutive activation of the protein kinase activity and mitogenic properties of TEL-platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR beta), a fusion oncoprotein characteristic of the leukemic cells of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia harboring a t(5;12) chromosomal translocation. Swapping experiments in which the TEL oligomerization domain was exchanged by the homologous domains of representative vertebrate ETS proteins including ETS-1, ERG-2 and GABP alpha show that oligomerization is a specific property of the TEL amino-terminal conserved domain. These results indicate that the amino-terminal domain conserved in a subset of the ETS proteins has evolved to generate a specialized protein-protein interaction interface which is likely to be an important determinant of their specificity as transcriptional regulators.

Specific binding of the ETS-domain protein to the interferon-stimulated response element

Interferon (IFN) activation of genes bearing an IFN-stimulated response element (ISRE) is regulated through binding of IFN-stimulated gene factors (ISGF) to the ISRE found in many IFN-stimulated genes. Using a multimerized human 2-5A synthetase ISRE as probe, we screened lambda gt11 expression libraries for cDNA encoding ISRE-binding activity and isolated a clone for murine proto-oncogene ets-1. The Ets-1 protein binds to the 2-5A synthetase ISRE at a site that also binds ISGF3, a multicomponent factor whose ISRE binding correlates with IFN-induced activation of transcription from ISRE-containing promoters. IFN-induced ISGF3 complex formation on the ISRE can be inhibited by specific Ets-1 antibody. Coexpression of Ets-1 represses ISRE-dependent reporter activity, suggesting that one or more members of the Ets protein family may negatively regulate transcriptional activity mediated by the 2-5A synthetase ISRE.

Functional domains of transcription factor hGABP beta1/E4TF1-53 required for nuclear localization and transcription activation

Transcription factor E4TF1 is the human homolog of GABP and has been renamed hGABP (human GABP). hGABP is composed of two types of subunits; hGABP beta1/E4TF1-53 and the ets-related protein hGABP alpha/E4TF1-60. Both bind together to form an (alpha)2(beta1)2 heterotetrameric complex on DNA and activate transcription at specific promoters in vitro. Tetramer formation depends on two regions of hGABP beta1; the N-terminal region containing the Notch/ankyrin-type repeats is necessary for binding to hGABP alpha and the C-terminal region is necessary for homodimerization. In this report, we constructed various deletion mutants of hGABP beta1 in order to delimit the functional regions required for nuclear localization and transcription activity. We found that hGABP beta1 localization in the nucleus is dependent on a region located between amino acids 243 and 330 and that the presence of hGABP beta1 influences the efficiency of hGABP alpha transport into the nucleus. Next, we demonstrated that the hGABP complex composed of alpha and beta1 subunits activates transcription from the adenovirus early 4 promoter in vivo. This transcription activation needs the C-terminal region of hGABP beta1 and is consistent with results obtained with the in vitro assay. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis analysis of the C-terminal region reveals that the alpha-helix structure and the leucine residues are important for formation of a heterotetrameric complex with hGABP alpha in vitro and for transcription activation in vivo. These results suggest that hGABP beta1 stimulates transcription as part of a heterotetrameric complex with hGABP alpha in vivo.

The Cyc8 (Ssn6)-Tup1 corepressor complex is composed of one Cyc8 and four Tup1 subunits

The Cyc8 (Ssn6)-Tup1 corepressor complex is required for repression in several important regulatory systems in yeast cells, including glucose repression and mating type. Cyc8-Tup1 is recruited to target genes by interaction with diverse repressor proteins that bind directly to DNA. Since the complex has a large apparent molecular mass of 1,200 kDa on nondenaturing gels (F. E. Williams, U. Varanasi, and R. J. Trumbly, Mol. Cell. Biol. 11:3307-3316, 1991), we used a variety of approaches to determine its actual subunit composition. Immunoprecipitation of epitope-tagged complex and reconstitution of the complex from in vitro-translated proteins demonstrated that only the Cyc8 and Tup1 proteins were present in the complex. Hydrodynamic properties showed that these proteins have unusually large Stokes radii, low sedimentation coefficients, and high frictional ratios, all characteristic of asymmetry which partly accounts for the apparent high molecular weight. Calculation of native molecular weights from these properties indicated that the Cyc8-Tup1 complex is composed of one Cyc8 subunit and four Tup1 subunits. This composition was confirmed by reconstitution of the complex from Cyc8 and Tup1 expressed in vitro and analysis by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

The role of an E box binding basic helix loop helix protein in the cardiac muscle-specific expression of the rat cytochrome oxidase subunit VIII gene

We have characterized the rat gene for muscle-specific cytochrome oxidase VIII (COX VIII(H)) and mapped the distal promoter region responsible for transcription activation in C2C12 skeletal myocytes and H9C2 cardiomyocytes. In both cell types, the promoter elements responding to the induced differentiation of myocytes map to two E boxes, designated as E1 and E2 boxes with a core sequence of CAGCTG. Gel mobility shift analysis showed that both E1 and E2 box motifs form complexes with nuclear extracts from H9C2 cardiomyocytes that were supershifted with monoclonal antibody to E2A but not with antibody to myo-D. Extracts from induced and uninduced H9C2 cardiomyocytes yielded different gel mobility patterns and also different E2A antibody supershifts suggesting a difference in the DNA-bound protein complexes cross-reacting with the E2A antibody. Transcriptional activity of the promoter construct containing intact E boxes was inhibited by coexpression with Id in differentiated H9C2 cardiomyocytes. Our results show the involvement of an E box binding basic helix loop helix protein in the cardiac muscle-specific regulation of the COX VIII(H) promoter.

Structure of the p53 tumor suppressor bound to the ankyrin and SH3 domains of 53BP2

Mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor are among the most frequently observed genetic alterations in human cancer and map to the 200-amino acid core domain of the protein. The core domain contains the sequence-specific DNA binding activity and the in vitro 53BP2 protein binding activity of p53. The crystal structure of the p53 core domain bound to the 53BP2 protein, which contains an SH3 (Src homology 3) domain and four ankyrin repeats, revealed that (i) the SH3 domain binds the L3 loop of p53 in a manner distinct from that of previously characterized SH3-polyproline peptide complexes, and (ii) an ankyrin repeat, which forms an L-shaped structure consisting of a beta hairpin and two alpha helices, binds the L2 loop of p53. The structure of the complex shows that the 53BP2 binding site on the p53 core domain consists of evolutionarily conserved regions that are frequently mutated in cancer and that it overlaps the site of DNA binding. The six most frequently observed p53 mutations disrupt 53BP2 binding in vitro. The structure provides evidence that the 53BP2-p53 complex forms in vivo and may have a critical role in the p53 pathway of tumor suppression.

Redox regulation of GA-binding protein-alpha DNA binding activity

We have investigated the reduction/oxidation (redox) regulation of the heteromeric transcription factor GA-binding protein (GABP). GABP, also known as nuclear respiratory factor 2, regulates the expression of nuclear encoded mitochondrial proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation, including cytochrome c oxidase subunits IV and Vb, as well as the expression of mitochondrial transcription factor 1. GABP is composed of two subunits, the Ets-related GABP-alpha, which mediates specific DNA binding, and GABP-beta, which forms heterodimers and heterotetramers on DNA sequences containing the PEA3/Ets motif ((C/A)GGA(A/T)(G/A)). We demonstrate here that GABP DNA binding activity and GABP-dependent gene expression in 3T3 cells are inhibited by pro-oxidant conditions. DNA binding of recombinant GABP-alpha was activated by chemical reduction (dithiothreitol) and by thioredoxin; however, GSSG inhibited GABP DNA binding activity. Treatment of GABP-alpha, but not GABP-beta1, with sulfhydryl-alkylating agents also inhibited GABP DNA binding activity. Our results suggest that GABP DNA binding activity is redox-regulated in vivo, possibly by thioredoxin-mediated reduction and by GSSG-mediated oxidation of the GABP-alpha subunit. The regulation of GABP (nuclear respiratory factor 2) DNA binding activity by cellular redox changes provides an important link between mitochondrial and nuclear gene expression and the redox state of the cell.

Dual function of the intron of the rat insulin I gene in regulation of gene expression

Since the short intron in the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) has been preserved during duplication of the insulin genes in rodents we postulated a possible involvement of these sequences in the regulation of gene expression. To examine this hypothesis we fused nested 5'-deletion fragments of the rat insulin I (rins1) promoter and sequences of the 5'-UTR up to nucleotide +170 with the reporter gene chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) and generated two series of expression constructs differing by the presence or absence of the intron (rins11VS). Transient expression of these chimeric genes in HIT M2.2.2 cells revealed a four-fold higher CAT expression in the presence of rins1IVS. Comparison of the CAT transcript quantities generated by both counterparts showed only a 1.7-fold difference in the total nuclear RNA fraction, but a four-fold difference in the fraction of nuclear polyadenylated RNA. Further analysis of cytoplasmic RNA excluded nuclear-cytoplasmic transport, RNA stability, and efficiency of translation as targets of the rins1IVS-mediated effect. The higher rate in polyadenylated CAT transcripts generated by rins1IVS-containing vectors suggests a possible coupling between splicing and polyadenylation. Transient expression studies using chimeras containing mutations or deletions between nucleotides -87 and +110 showed a reduction of expression by 30%. These data suggest a dual function of the rins1 intron on transcription initiation and transcript maturation.

Nuclear respiratory factors 1 and 2 utilize similar glutamine-containing clusters of hydrophobic residues to activate transcription

Nuclear respiratory factors 1 and 2 (NRF-1 and NRF-2) are ubiquitous transcription factors that have been implicated in the control of nuclear genes required for respiration, heme biosynthesis, and mitochondrial DNA transcription and replication. Recently, both factors have been found to be major transcriptional determinants for a subset of these genes that define a class of simple promoters involved in respiratory chain expression. Here, functional domains required for transactivation by NRF-1 have been defined. An atypical nuclear localization signal resides in a conserved amino-terminal region adjacent to the DNA binding domain and consists of functionally redundant clusters of basic residues. A second domain in the carboxy-terminal half of the molecule is necessary for transcriptional activation. The activation domains of both NRF-1 and NRF-2 were extensively characterized by both deletion and alanine substitution mutagenesis. The results show that these domains do not fall into known classes defined by a preponderance of amino acid residues, including glutamines, prolines, or isoleucines, as found in other eukaryotic activators. Rather, in both factors, a series of tandemly arranged clusters of hydrophobic amino acids were required for activation. Although all of the functional clusters contain glutamines, the glutamines differ from the hydrophobic residues in that they are inconsequential for activation. Unlike the NRF-2 domain, which contains its essential hydrophobic motifs within 40 residues, the NRF-1 domain spans about 40% of the molecule and appears to have a bipartite structure. The findings indicate that NRF-1 and NRF-2 utilize similar hydrophobic structural motifs for activating transcription.

Characterization of NERF, a novel transcription factor related to the Ets factor ELF-1

We have cloned the gene for a novel Ets-related transcription factor, new Ets-related factor (NERF), from human spleen, fetal liver, and brain. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of NERF with those of other members of the Ets family reveals that the level of homology to ELF-1, which is involved in the regulation of several T- and B-cell-specific genes, is highest. Homologies are clustered in the putative DNA binding domain in the middle of the protein, a basic domain just upstream of this domain, and several shorter stretches of homology towards the amino terminus. The presence of two predominant NERF transcripts in various fetal and adult human tissues is due to at least three alternative splice products, NERF-1a, NERF-1b, and NERF-2, which differ in their amino termini and their expression in different tissues. Only NERF-2 and ELF-1, and not NERF-1a and NERF-1b, function as transcriptional activators of the lyn and blk gene promoters, although all isoforms of NERF bind with affinities similar to those of ELF-1 to a variety of Ets binding sites in, among others, the blk, lck, lyn, mb-1, and immunoglobulin H genes and are expressed at similar levels. Since NERF and ELF-1 are coexpressed in B and T cells, both might be involved in the regulation of the same genes.

Murine central neurons express a novel member of the cdc10/SWI6 motif-containing protein superfamily

V-1 protein is a novel member of the cdc10/SWI6 motif-containing protein superfamily several members of which have been demonstrated to play crucial roles in the regulation of intracellular signaling. In the present study we examined the distribution of V-1 mRNA in the murine central nervous system (CNS). Northern analysis revealed the expression of V-1 mRNA in various regions of the brain with the following rank order: hippocampus, cerebellum > cerebral cortex, olfactory bulb, medulla oblongata, pons > thalamus. In situ hybridization also showed that V-1 mRNA is widely distributed in various regions of the brain, with parallel expression levels to those revealed by Northern analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the V-1 protein exists in various types of neurons, mainly in cell bodies but also in dendrites, axons and possibly in synaptic areas. These expression patterns of the V-1 gene in the murine CNS suggest that the V-1 protein performs some common function in different classes of neurons. We found no significant difference in the expression level of V-1 mRNA in cerebellar granule cells between the control and mutant mice of Purkinje cell degeneration (pcd). In comparison with our previous data obtained in another mutant, staggerer, we discussed the effects of target deprivation on the expression of V-1 mRNA in cerebellar granule cells.

Pax-5 (BSAP) recruits Ets proto-oncogene family proteins to form functional ternary complexes on a B-cell-specific promoter

The paired box transcription factor Pax-5 (B-cell-specific activator protein) is a key regulator of lineage-specific gene expression and differentiation in B-lymphocytes. We show that Pax-5 functions as a cell type-specific docking protein that facilitates binding of the early B-cell-specific mb-1 promoter by proteins of the Ets proto-oncogene family. Transcriptional activity of the mb-1 promoter in pre-B-cells is critically dependent on binding sites for Pax-5:Ets complexes. Ternary complex assembly requires only the Pax-5 paired box and ETS DNA-binding domains. Mutation of a single base pair in the ternary complex binding site allows for independent binding by Ets proteins but, conversely, inhibits the binding of Pax-5 by itself. Strikingly, the mutation reverses the pattern of complex assembly: Ets proteins recruit Pax-5 to bind the mutated sequence. Recruitment of Net and Elk-1, but not SAP1a, by Pax-5 defines a functional difference between closely related Ets proteins. Replacement of a valine (V68) in the ETS domain of SAP1a by aspartic acid (as found in c-Ets-1, Elk-1, and Net) enhanced ternary complex formation by more than 60-fold. Together, these observations define novel transcription factor interactions that regulate gene expression in B cells.

Tissue-specific activity of the gammac chain gene promoter depends upon an Ets binding site and is regulated by GA-binding protein

The gammac chain is a subunit of multiple cytokine receptors (interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15), the expression of which is restricted to hematopoietic lineages. A defect in gammac leads to the X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency characterized by a block in T cell differentiation. In order to better characterize the human gammac promoter and define the minimal tissue-specific promoter region, progressive 5'-deletion constructs of a segment extending 1053 base pairs upstream of the major transcription start site were generated and tested for promoter activity in various hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cell types. The -1053/+34 construct allowed promoter activity only in cells of hematopoietic origin, and tissue specificity was conserved in all other constructs tested. The region downstream of -90 appeared critical for basal promoter activity. It contains two potential Ets binding sites conserved in the murine gammac promoter gene, one of which was found essential for functional promoter activity as determined by mutational analysis. The functional Ets binding site was found to bind Ets family proteins, principally GA-binding protein and Elf-1 and could be transactivated by GABPalpha and -beta synergistically. These results indicate that, as already reported for the IL2Rbeta promoter, GA-binding protein is an essential component of gammac basal promoter activity. Although GABP expression is not restricted to the hematopoietic lineage, its interaction with other specific factors may contribute to the tissue-specific expression of the gammac gene.

Cell-free conversion of a ubiquitous nuclear protein into a killer-cell-specific form that binds to the NF-P enhancer element of the mouse perforin gene

Two nuclear factors, designated NF-PI and NF-P2, have been shown to bind to an enhancer 9-base motif (5'-ACAGGAAGT-3', NF-P motif) present within the 5'-flanking region of the mouse perforin gene. Our previous studies have shown that, although NF-P1 and NF-P2 differ in cell-type distribution and molecular mass, with NF-P2 being killer-cell-specific and smaller, the two factors appear to share common DNA-binding subunit(s). We have postulated that the biochemical event involved in the induction of NF-P2 could be the dissociation of a non-DNA-binding subunit from NF-P1, rendering the newly formed NF-P2 transcriptionally active. By using a cell-free system in the present study, we have demonstrated that a variety of chemical agents capable of denaturing or dissociating protein complexes, including guanidinium/HCl, detergents (SDS plus Nonidet P-40) and high-salt solutions, could convert NF-P1 into NF-P2. Unlike in intact cells, where induction of NF-P2 is restricted to killer lymphocytes, this conversion occurred in nuclear extracts derived from both cytotoxic lymphocytes and non-cytotoxic cells. Although the mechanism that restricts the induction of NF-P2 to killer- lymphocytes in vivo remains unresolved, these results support the hypothetical 'dissociation' model for the generation of NF-P2. The results also imply that the absence of perforin expression in non-cytotoxic cells may be due to the suppression of the induction of the killer-cell-specific trans-acting factor NF-P2.

GABP mediates insulin-increased prolactin gene transcription

The insulin-response element from the prolactin gene is identical to the Ets-binding site, and dominant-negative Ets protein inhibits insulin-increased prolactin gene expression. Immunoblotting identified the Ets-related transcription factor GABP in nuclear extracts from GH cells. Expression of GABP alpha and GABP beta 1 squelches insulin-increased prolactin gene expression. GABP alpha and GABP beta 1 bind the insulin-response element of the prolactin promoter, and anti-GABP alpha and anti-GABP beta 1 antibodies supershift a species seen with nuclear extracts from GH cells. GABP alpha immunoprecipitated from insulin-treated, 32P-labeled GH cells was phosphorylated 3-fold more than GABP alpha from control cells. There was no increase in phosphorylation of GABP beta in response to insulin. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity is increased 10-fold in insulin-treated GH4 cells. MAP kinase immunoprecipitated from control cells does not phosphorylate GABP alpha while MAP kinase immunoprecipitated from insulin-treated cells shows substantial phosphorylation of GABP alpha. These studies suggest that GABP mediates insulin-increased transcription of the prolactin gene. GABP may be regulated by MAP kinase phosphorylation.

T cell leukemia-associated human Notch/translocation-associated Notch homologue has I kappa B-like activity and physically interacts with nuclear factor-kappa B proteins in T cells

Translocation-associated Notch homologue (TAN-1), a gene originally cloned from the translocation breakpoint of a human T cell leukemia carrying a 9:7(q34.3) translocation, encodes a protein belonging to the Notch/Lin-12/Glp-1 receptor family. These receptors mediate the specification of numerous cell fates during development in invertebrates and vertebrates. The intracellular portion of Notch/TAN-1 contains six ankyrin repeats that are similar to those found in cytoplasmic I kappa B proteins. I kappa B proteins are specific inhibitors of nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B/Rel transcription factors. Here we show that TAN-1 has functional properties of an I kappa B-like regulator with specificity for the NF-kappa B p50 subunit. A recombinant polypeptide corresponding to the cytoplasmic portion of TAN-1 (TAN-1C) specifically inhibited the DNA binding of p50-containing NF-kappa B complexes. When overexpressed in an appropriate cell line, TAN-1C prevented kappa B-dependent transactivation in transient reporter gene assays in a fashion similar to the structurally related protein, Bcl-3. TAN-1C could activate kappa B-dependent gene expression by attenuating the inhibitory effect of an excess of p50 homodimers. Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that the TAN-1 from a T cell line is associated with NF-kappa B containing p50 and p65 subunits. These observations indicate that TAN-1C may directly engage NF-kappa B transcription factors and modulate nuclear gene expression.

Characterization of the cooperative function of inhibitory sequences in Ets-1

DNA binding by the eukaryotic transcription factor Ets-1 is negatively regulated by an intramolecular mechanism. Quantitative binding assays compared the DNA-binding activities of native Ets-1, three deletion mutants, and three tryptic fragments. Ets-1 and activated Ets-1 polypeptides differed in DNA-binding affinity as much as 23-fold. Inhibition was mediated by two regions flanking the minimal DNA-binding domain. Both regions regulated affinity by enhancing dissociation of the protein-DNA complex. Three lines of evidence indicated that inhibition requires cooperative interaction between the two regions: first, the two inhibitory regions acted through a common mechanism; second, neither region functioned independently of the other; finally, mutation of the C-terminal inhibitory region altered the conformation of the N-terminal inhibitory region. In addition, partial proteolysis detected an identical altered conformation in the N-terminal inhibitory region of Ets-1 bound to DNA. This finding suggested that repression is transiently disrupted during DNA binding. These results provide evidence that the two inhibitory regions of Ets-1 are structurally, as well as functionally, coupled. In addition, conformational change is shown to be a critical component of the inhibition mechanism. A cooperative, allosteric model of autoinhibition is described. Autoinhibition of Ets-1 could be relieved by either protein partner(s) or posttranslational modifications.

Raf-1 kinase targets GA-binding protein in transcriptional regulation of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 promoter

The serine/threonine protein kinase Raf-1 is a component of a conserved intracellular signaling cascade that controls responses to various extracellular stimuli. Transcription from several promoters, including the oncogene-responsive element in the polyomavirus enhancer, the c-fos promoter, as well as other AP-1- and Ets-dependent promoters, can be induced by Raf-1 kinase. Previously, we have shown that activated Raf-1 kinase transactivates the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat and have identified the NF-kappaB binding motif as a Raf-1-responsive element (RafRE). We now report that Raf-1 kinase-induced transactivation from the HIV RafRE involves the purine-rich-repeat-binding protein (GABP), which is composed of two distinct subunits (alpha and beta). GABP alpha is an Ets oncogene-related DNA-binding protein, and GABP beta contains four ankyrin-like repeats that have been shown to be essential in protein-protein interactions. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays using nuclear extracts from human Jurkat T cells, a protein-DNA complex which was supershifted with antiserum against GABP alpha and GABP beta was observed. Purified recombinant GABP alpha and beta interact with the HIV RafRE as judged from DNA binding assays. Cotransfection experiments with GABP alpha and beta and Raf-1 kinase demonstrate synergistic transactivation of the HIV-1 promoter. Point mutations in the HIV RafRE abolished the Raf-1 kinase as well as GABP alpha- and beta-induced transactivation. The observed Raf-1-GABP synergism presumably involves phosphorylation of GABP subunits, as treatment of cells with Raf-1 kinase activators serum and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate increases phosphorylation of GABP in vivo. However, GABP is not a target of Raf-1 kinase; instead, it is a substrate of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK), since in vitro phosphorylation of GABP alpha and beta was achieved by the reconstituted protein kinase cascade but not with purified Raf-1 or MEK. These results suggest that Raf-1 kinase- induced activation of the HIV-1 promoter is mediated by the classical cytoplasmic cascade resulting in MAPK/ERK-mediated phosphorylation of GABP alpha and beta. Because the HIV RafRE corresponds to a region within the promoter which is essential for regulation of HIV-1 expression, the data indicate that in addition to NK-kappaB, GABP transcription factors are important for induced expression of HIV.

Cloning and structure of delta-latroinsectotoxin, a novel insect-specific member of the latrotoxin family: functional expression requires C-terminal truncation

The venom of the black widow spider (BWSV) (Latrodectus mactans tredecimguttatus) contains several potent, high molecular mass (>110 kDa) neurotoxins that cause neurotransmitter release in a phylum-specific manner. The molecular mechanism of action of these proteins is poorly understood because their structures are largely unknown, and they have not been functionally expressed. This study reports on the primary structure of delta-latroinsectotoxin (delta-LIT), a novel insect-specific toxin from BWSV, that contains 1214 amino acids. delta-LIT comprises four structural domains: a signal peptide followed by an N-terminal domain that exhibits the highest degree of identity with other latrotoxins, a central region composed of 15 ankyrin-like repeats, and a C-terminal domain. The domain organization of delta-LIT is similar to that of other latrotoxins, suggesting that these toxins are a family of related proteins. The predicted molecular mass and apparent mobility of the protein (approximately 130 kDa) encoded in the delta-LIT gene differs from that of native delta-LIT purified from BWSV (approximately 100 kDa), suggesting that the toxin is produced by proteolytic processing of a precursor. MALDI-MS of purified native delta-LIT revealed a molecular ion with m/z+ of 110916 +/- 100, indicating that the native delta-LIT is 991 amino acids in length. When the full-length delta-LIT cDNA was expressed in bacteria the protein product was inactive, but expression of a C-terminally truncated protein containing 991 residues produced a protein that caused massive neurotransmitter release at the locust neuromuscular junction at nanomolar concentrations. Channels formed in locust muscle membrane and artificial lipid bilayers by the native delta-LIT have a high Ca2+ permeability, whereas those formed by truncated, recombinant protein do not.

Drosophila homologs of the proto-oncogene product PEBP2/CBF beta regulate the DNA-binding properties of Runt

The Drosophila runt gene is the founding member of the Runt domain family of transcriptional regulators. Mammalian Runt domain genes encode the alpha subunit of the heterometric DNA-binding factor PEBP2/CBF. The unrelated PEBP2/CBF beta protein interacts with the Runt domain to increase its affinity for DNA. The conserved ability of the Drosophila Runt protein to respond to the stimulating effect of mammalian PEBP2/CBF beta indicated that flies were likely to have a homologous beta protein. Using the yeast two-hybrid system to isolate cDNAs for Runt-interacting proteins, we identified two Drosophila genes, referred to as Brother and Big-brother, that have substantial sequence homology with PEBP2/CBF beta. Yeast two-hybrid experiments as well as in vitro DNA-binding studies confirmed the functional homology of the Brother, Big-brother, and PEBP2/CBF beta proteins and demonstrated that the conserved regions of the Runt and Brother proteins are required for their heterodimeric interaction. The DNA-bending properties of Runt domain proteins in the presence and absence of their partners were also examined. Our results show that Runt domain proteins bend DNA and that this bending is influenced by Brother protein family members, supporting the idea that heterodimerization is associated with a conformational change in the Runt domain. Analysis of expression patterns in Drosophila embryos revealed that Brother and Big-brother are likely to interact with runt in vivo and further suggested that the activity of these proteins is not restricted to their interaction with Runt.

Importance of low affinity Elf-1 sites in the regulation of lymphoid-specific inducible gene expression

Elf-1 is an Ets family transcription factor that regulates a number of inducible lymphoid-specific genes, including those encoding interleukin 3 (IL-3), granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) alpha chain. A minimal oligonucleotide spanning the IL-2R alpha Elf-1 site (-97/-84) bound Elf-1 poorly, but binding activity markedly increased when this oligonucleotide was multimerized or flanking sequences were added. This result is consistent with the requirement of accessory proteins for efficient Elf-1 binding, as has been demonstrated for the GM-CSF and IL-3 promoters. A binding site selection analysis revealed the optimal Elf-1 consensus motif to be A(A/t)(C/a)CCGGAAGT(A/S), which is similar to the consensus motif for the related Drosophila E74 protein. This minimal high affinity site could bind Elf-1 and functioned as a stronger transcription element than the -97/-84 IL-2R alpha oligonucleotide when cloned upstream of a heterologous promoter. In contrast, in the context of the IL-2R alpha promoter, conversion of the naturally occurring low affinity Elf-1 site to an optimal site decreased inducible activation of a reporter construct in Jurkat cells. This finding may be explained by the observation that another Ets family protein, ER GB/Fli-1, can efficiently bind only to the optimal site, and in this context, interferes with Elf-1 binding. Therefore, high affinity Elf-1 sites may lack sufficient binding specificity, whereas naturally occurring low affinity sites presumably favor the association of Elf-1 in the context of accessory proteins. These findings offer an explanation for the lack of optimal sites in any of the known Elf-1-regulated genes.

The GA-binding protein can serve as both an activator and repressor of ribosomal protein gene transcription

The GA-binding protein (GABP), a heterodimeric transcription factor with widespread tissue distribution, has been found to be a strong positive regulator of several ribosomal protein (rp)-encoding genes. In such genes, e.g. the mouse rpL30 gene, the GABP-binding sites are located 40-80 base pairs upstream of the transcriptional start point. Potential GABP-binding sites are present in the promoters of numerous other rp genes, not only in upstream regions, but also in the immediate vicinity of the transcriptional start point. The mouse rpS16 gene is an example of the latter type. We demonstrate here that GABP binds to the rpS16 initiation region, and in so doing down-regulates rpS16 transcription both in vivo and in vitro. Supplementation of cell-free extracts with GABP inhibits transcription on rpS16 templates while concomitantly stimulating transcription on rpL30 templates. The repressive and stimulatory effects, which were proportional to the amount of GABP added, required both the GABP alpha subunit and either a beta1 or beta2 subunit. Mutations of the rpS16 GABP-binding sites that abolish binding increased rpS16 promoter activity in vivo and in vitro, whereas mutations that strengthen GABP binding caused a reduction in promoter activity. The binding of GABP to the rpS16 initiation region does not significantly affect the positioning of the transcriptional start points. Taken together with earlier studies, these new findings indicate that GABP can have a dual role as repressor or activator of rp gene transcription.

Signal transduction by activated mNotch: importance of proteolytic processing and its regulation by the extracellular domain

Previous studies imply that the intracellular domain of Notch1 must translocate to the nucleus for its activity. In this study, we demonstrate that a mNotch1 mutant protein that lacks its extracellular domain but retains its membrane-spanning region becomes proteolytically processed on its intracellular surface and, as a result, the activated intracellular domain (mNotchIC) is released and can move to the nucleus. Proteolytic cleavage at an intracellular site is blocked by protease inhibitors. Intracellular cleavage is not seen in cells transfected with an inactive variant, which includes the extracellular lin-Notch-glp repeats. Collectively, the studies presented here support the model that mNotch1 is proteolytically processed and the cleavage product is translocated to the nucleus for mNotch1 signal transduction.

Lysozyme gene expression and regulation

Analysis of lysozyme gene expression in chicken and mouse identified two evolutionarily different mechanisms of lysozyme gene regulation. The lysozyme gene in chicken is expressed in the oviduct and macrophage cells with expression regulated by different, partially overlapping sets of tissue specific cis-acting elements. In contrast to chicken, the mouse genome contains two lysozyme genes generated by a gene duplication event allowing each gene to be regulated by its own regulatory region. One gene is expressed in macrophages, the other in Paneth cells of the small intestine. The macrophage-specific gene contains a single strong enhancer in the 3'-flanking sequences that interacts with ubiquitously factors. Cytosine methylation of the core enhancer sequence has been implicated in the regulation of the enhancer activity. In spite of these evolutionary regulatory differences, the chicken lysozyme transgene retains macrophage-specific expression in mice.

Three classes of mutations in the A subunit of the CCAAT-binding factor CBF delineate functional domains involved in the three-step assembly of the CBF-DNA complex

The mammalian CCAAT-binding factor CBF (also called NF-Y or CP1) consists of three subunits, CBF-A, CBF-B, and CBF-C, all of which are required for DNA binding and present in the CBF-DNA complex. In this study we first established the stoichiometries of the CBF subunits, both in the CBF molecule and in the CBF-DNA complex, and showed that one molecule of each subunit is present in the complex. To begin to understand the interactions between the CBF subunits and DNA, we performed a mutational analysis of the CBF-A subunit. This analysis identified three classes of mutations in the segment of CBF-A that is conserved in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammals. Analysis of the first class of mutants revealed that a major part of the conserved segment was essential for interactions with CBF-C to form a heterodimeric CBF-A/CBF-C complex. The second class of mutants identified a segment of CBF-A that is necessary for interactions between the CBF-A/CBF-C heterodimer and CBF-B to form a CBF heterotrimer. The third class defined a domain of CBF-A involved in binding the CBF heterotrimer to DNA. The second and third classes of mutants acted as dominant negative mutants inhibiting the formation of a complex between the wild-type CBF subunits and DNA. The segment of CBF-A necessary for DNA binding showed sequence homology to a segment of CBF-C. Interestingly, these sequences in CBF-A and CBF-C were also homologous to the sequences in the histone-fold motifs of histones H2B and H2A, respectively, and to the archaebacterial histone-like protein HMf-2. We discuss the functional domains of CBF-A and the properties of CBF in light of these sequence homologies and propose that an ancient histone-like motif in two CBF subunits controls the formation of a heterodimer between these subunits and the assembly of a sequence-specific DNA-protein complex.

Transcription factors interacting with herpes simplex virus alpha gene promoters in sensory neurons

Interference with VP16-mediated activation of herpes virus immediate-early (or alpha) genes is thought to be the major cause of establishing viral latency in sensory neurons. This could be brought about by lack of a key activating transcription factor(s) or active repression. In this study we find that sensory neurons express all important components for VP16-mediated alpha gene induction, such as the POU transcription factor Oct-1, host cell factor (HCF) and GABP alpha/beta. However, Oct-1 and GABP alpha/beta are only present at low levels and the VP16-induced complex (VIC) appears different. We do not find protein expression of the transcription factor Oct-2, implicated by others as an alpha gene repressor. The POU factor N-Oct3 (Brn 2 or POU3F2) is also present in sensory neurons and binds viral TAATGARAT motifs with higher affinity than Oct-1, indicating that it may be a candidate repressor for competitive binding to TAATGARAT motifs. When transfected into HeLa cells, where Oct-1 and GABP alpha/beta are highly abundant, N-Oct3 represses model promoters with multimerized TAATGARAT motifs, but fails to repress complete alpha gene promoters. Taken together our findings suggest that modulation of alpha gene promoters could contribute to viral latency when low concentrations of the activating transcription factors Oct-1 and GABP alpha/beta prevail. Our data, however, refute the notion that competing Oct factors are able to block alpha gene transcription to achieve viral latency.

Methylation of the mouse M-lysozyme downstream enhancer inhibits heterotetrameric GABP binding

Expression of the mouse M-lysozyme gene is a specific marker for the differentiation of macrophage/granulocyte cell lineages. Analysis of the mechanisms regulating M-lysozyme gene expression revealed an enhancer element in the 3'-flanking region of the gene, termed the M-lysozyme downstream enhancer (MLDE). Here we demonstrate that the nuclear factors binding to MLDE are present in all tested myeloid and non-myeloid mouse cell lines. Sequence analysis of MLDE identified two different sequences, CAGGAAGT and CCGGAAGT, which match the consensus binding sequences for proteins of the ets gene superfamily. The two sites are oriented palindromicly and separated by 10 bp. DMS/DEPC interference assays revealed different patterns of DNA-protein contacts on the two sites. Mutation of each consensus sequence leads to an individual change in protein binding in vitro. Despite these differences, both sequences are bound by GABP, forming a heterotetrameric complex. Tissue specificity is correlated with demethylation of a single CpG dinucleotide located in one of the two Ets motifs. This site when methylated inhibits GABP binding to both sequences in non-macrophage cell types.

Determining the requirements for cooperative DNA binding by Swi5p and Pho2p (Grf10p/Bas2p) at the HO promoter

SW15 encodes a zinc finger DNA binding protein required for the transcription of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae HO gene, and PHO2 encodes a homeodomain DNA binding protein. In vitro biochemical studies using purified Swi5p and Pho2p proteins have demonstrated that Swi5p and Pho2p bind cooperatively to the HO promoter. In this report we investigate the regions of the Swi5p and Pho2p proteins required for cooperative DNA binding. The analysis of each protein gives a similar result: the zinc finger or homeodomain DNA binding domains are each sufficient for in vitro DNA binding, but additional regions of each protein are required for cooperative DNA binding. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted with promoters with altered spacing between the Pho2p and Swi5p binding sites. Mutations that increased the distance between the two binding sites had minimal effects on either in vitro cooperative DNA binding or in vivo upstream activating sequence activity. These observations suggest that the interaction domains of Swi5p and Pho2p are flexible and can tolerate an increase in distance between the two binding sites. The mechanism of the cooperative DNA binding by Swi5p and Pho2p is discussed.

Tandem binding of six OmpR proteins to the ompF upstream regulatory sequence of Escherichia coli

OmpR is a transcription factor in Escherichia coli whose function is modulated by phosphorylation in the presence of phosphorylated EnvZ, a transmembrane protein histidine kinase involved in osmosensing. Using a protein S-OmpR hybrid protein, we demonstrated that six OmpR molecules bind tandemly to the -100 to -39 sequence of ompF. This sequence consists of three 20-base pair units: F1, F2, and F3, each of which is bound by two OmpR proteins. Polymerase chain reaction selection of nine randomized base pairs within the F1 sequence revealed highly conserved C residues spaced 10 base pairs apart. Further mutational analysis of conserved bases indicated that two OmpR molecules bind tandemly to two direct repeats. Mobility shift assays showed that cooperative interactions play a role in enhancing binding of OmpR to lower affinity F2 and F3 sites. Activation and repression of ompF expression are thus regulated by a total of eight OmpR molecules, including two molecules that bind to a distal site (-380 to -361).

GABP and PU.1 compete for binding, yet cooperate to increase CD18 (beta 2 leukocyte integrin) transcription

CD18 (beta 2 leukocyte integrin) is a leukocyte-specific adhesion molecule that plays a crucial role in immune and inflammatory responses. A 79-nucleotide fragment of the CD18 promoter is sufficient to direct myeloid transcription. The CD18 promoter is bound by the B lymphocyte- and myeloid-restricted ets factor, PU.1, and disruption of the PU.1-binding sites significantly reduces promoter activity. However, PU.1 alone cannot fully account for the leukocyte-specific and myeloid-inducible transcription of CD18. We identified a ubiquitously expressed nuclear protein complex of extremely low electrophoretic mobility that also binds to this region of the CD18 promoter. This binding complex is a heterotetramer composed of GABP alpha, and ets factor, and GABP beta, a subunit with homology to Drosophila Notch. GABP alpha competes with the lineage restricted factor, PU.1, for the same critical CD18 ets sites. The CD18 promoter is activated in myeloid cells by transfection with both GABP alpha and GABP beta together, but not by either factor alone. Transfection of non-hematopoietic cells with the two GABP subunits together with PU.1 is sufficient to activate CD18 transcription in otherwise non-permissive cells. Thus, GABP and PU.1 compete for the same binding sites but cooperate to activate CD18 transcription.

ERM, a PEA3 subfamily of Ets transcription factors, can cooperate with c-Jun

A human cDNA clone for ERM, a member of the ets gene family, has been obtained by polymerase chain reaction with degenerate primers corresponding to highly conserved regions within an Ets DNA binding domain. ERM mRNA is expressed ubiquitously. The gene was mapped to chromosome 3q27. In in vivo transient-expression assays, ERM induced transcription more efficiently from a synthetic element containing both an ets-binding site (EBS) and a cyclic AMP response element (CRE) than from one containing an EBS alone. The activation of a synthetic EBS-CRE site by ERM was likely to involve a leucine zipper protein capable of dimerizing with CRE-BP1 leucine zipper. Indeed, ERM and c-Jun synergistically activated the EBS-CRE without making an apparent ternary complex. The synergy between c-Jun and ERM may be attributed to the enhancing effect of c-Jun on the transcription activity of ERM, because c-Jun increased ERM transcription activity by more than 20-fold in an assay system using a variety of fusion proteins between a Gal4 DNA-binding domain and a portion of ERM. This enhancing effect of c-Jun required the amino-terminal portion of ERM.

A DNA methylation site in the male-specific P450 (Cyp 2d-9) promoter and binding of the heteromeric transcription factor GABP

The Cyp 2d-9 gene encodes the male-specific steroid 16 alpha-hydroxylase in mouse liver and shares a conserved regulatory element (-100TTCCGGGC-93) with another male-specific Slp promoter. As shown with the Slp promoter (N. Yokomori, R. Moore, and M. Negishi, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:1302-1306, 1995), the male-preferential demethylation also occurs at CpG/-97 in the Cyp 2d-9 promoter. The transcription factor which specifically binds to the demethylated element has been purified. The peptide sequences reveal that the factor consists of GABP alpha and GABP beta 1 with Ets and Notch motifs, respectively. Both DNase I footprinting and gel shift assays indicate that the bacterially expressed glutathione S-transferase-GABP fusion proteins bind to the regulatory element only when CpG/-97 is demethylated. Moreover, Cyp 2d-9 promoter is trans-activated by coexpression of GABP proteins in HepG2 cells. Given the additional results that CpG/-50 of the female-specific steroid 15 alpha-hydroxylase (Cyp 2a-4) promoter is preferentially demethylated in the females, the sex-specific expressions of the P450 genes correlate very well with DNA demethylation. We also conclude that GABP is a methylation-sensitive transcription factor and is a potential transcription activator of the male-specific Cyp 2d-9 promoter.

Proteins and cis-acting elements associated with transactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immediate-early gene 62 promoter by VZV open reading frame 10 protein

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) open reading frame 10 (ORF10) protein, the homolog of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) VP16, is a virion-associated transactivator of the VZV immediate-early (IE) gene 62 (IE62) promoter. VP16 forms a complex with cellular factors (Oct1 and host cell factor [HCF]) and TAATGARAT elements (found in all HSV-1 IE promoter/enhancer sequences) to mediate stimulation of IE transcription. The VZV IE62 promoter also contains three TAATGARAT-like elements. Mutagenesis studies of the VZV IE62 promoter indicated that TAATGARAT-like elements contribute to transactivation of the VZV IE62 promoter by ORF10 protein. Other cis-acting elements such as GA-rich and cyclic AMP-responsive elements were also needed for full transactivation by ORF10 protein. In mobility shift assays, ORF10 protein formed a complex with either of two TAATGARAT-like elements that lack an overlapping octamer-binding motif (octa-/TAATGARAT) but not with a TAATGARAT element with an overlapping octamer-binding motif (octa+/TAATGARAT). In contrast, VP16 formed a high-affinity ternary complex with an octa+/TAATGARAT element and a low-affinity complex with octa-/TAATGARAT elements. Addition of antibodies to ORF10 protein, Oct1, or HCF disrupted the complexes, demonstrating that ORF10 protein interacts with Oct1 and HCF. These results suggest that transactivation of the VZV IE62 gene by ORF10 protein and HSV IE genes by VP16 require similar cellular proteins but distinct cis-acting elements.

Transactivation of the Moloney murine leukemia virus and T-cell receptor beta-chain enhancers by cbf and ets requires intact binding sites for both proteins

The Moloney murine leukemia virus (Mo-MLV) enhancer contains binding sites (LVb and LVc) for the ets gene family of proteins and a core site that binds the polyomavirus enhancer-binding protein 2/core-binding factor (cbf) family of proteins. The LVb and core sites in the Mo-MLV enhancer contribute to its constitutive activity in T cells. All three binding sites (LVb, LVc, and core) are required for phorbol ester inducibility of the Mo-MLV enhancer. Adjacent binding sites for the ets and cbf proteins likewise constitute a phorbol ester response element within the human T-cell receptor beta-chain (TCR beta) enhancer and contribute to constitutive transcriptional activity of the TCR beta enhancer in T cells. Here we show that the CBF alpha subunit encoded by the mouse Cbfa2 gene (the murine homolog of human AML1) and three ets proteins, Ets-1, Ets-2, and GA-binding protein (GABP), transactivate both the Mo-MLV and mouse TCR beta enhancer in transient-expression assays. Moreover, we show that transactivation by Cbf alpha 2 requires both intact ets and cbf binding sites. Transactivation by Ets-1, Ets-2, and GABP likewise requires intact binding sites for ets proteins and CBF. Supportive biochemical analyses demonstrate that both proteins can bind simultaneously to a composite enhancer element. These findings suggest that ets and cbf proteins cooperate in vivo to regulate transcription from the Mo-MLV and TCR beta enhancers.

A direct physical association between ETS and AP-1 transcription factors in normal human T cells

The Ets and AP-1 families of transcription factors bind distinct DNA elements and subserve diverse functions in multiple lymphoid and nonlymphoid cell types. Functionally important Ets and AP-1 binding sites have been identified in a large number of enhancer elements, suggesting important cooperative interactions between these two families of transcription factors. In this report, we have demonstrated a direct physical interaction between Ets and AP-1 proteins both in vitro and in activated human T cells. This interaction is mediated by the binding of the basic domain of Jun to the Ets domain of Ets proteins. Jun, in association with Ets, is capable of interacting with Fos family members to form a trimolecular protein complex. The physical association between Ets-1 and AP-1 proteins is required for the transcriptional activity of enhancer elements containing adjacent Ets and AP-1 binding sites. We conclude that direct physical interactions between Ets and AP-1 transcription factors play an important role in regulating mammalian gene expression.

The relative contributions of various transcription factors to the overall promoter strength of the mouse ribosomal protein L30 gene

The promoter of the mouse gene encoding ribosomal protein L30 contains binding sites for four transcription factors; alpha (RFX-1), beta (GABP), gamma and delta (YY-1/NF-E1/UCRBP). The relative contributions of these factors to the strength of the rpL30 promoter in vivo and the degree of synergism among the factors was evaluated by transfection experiments using a series of mutant promoters in which one or more of the binding sites was drastically altered to prevent recognition by its cognate factor. Our results indicated that GABP and RFX-1 are the major determinants of the rpL30 promoter strength, acting synergistically to boost activity more than eightfold over that which occurs in their absence. The contributions of gamma and delta became evident only when the promoter was weakened by eliminating the participation of the other factors. Indeed, as the promoter strength was progressively reduced, the contribution of each individual factor increased, implying that the capacity of the general transcription machinery to be stimulated by these factors is saturable. The activity of the rpL30 promoter was significantly diminished when three pyrimidine residues spanning the start site were converted to purines, indicating that the integrity of the oligopyrimidine tract is also a determinant of the transcriptional efficiency. These studies reveal the hierarchy of importance of four transcription factors that govern the expression of the rpL30 gene. Moreover, they define the graduated levels of promoter activity that would result from deficiencies of these factors in any particular cell type. This information may provide a useful paradigm for understanding the transcriptional regulation of other ubiquitously expressed genes.

Isolation of two new members of the NF-AT gene family and functional characterization of the NF-AT proteins

The activation of cytokine genes in response to antigenic stimulation of T cells is mediated by NF-AT proteins. Previous studies have identified two NF-AT proteins, NF-ATp and NF-ATc, that are homologous within a 290 aa domain distantly related to the Rel domain. We have isolated two additional members of this gene family, NF-AT3 and NF-AT4, which encode proteins 65% identical to the other NF-AT proteins within the Rel domain. The four NF-AT genes are transcribed in different sets of tissues that included many sites of expression outside the immune system. The Rel homology domain is sufficient for DNA recognition and cooperative binding interactions with AP-1. Although other members of the Rel family bind DNA as dimers, NF-AT proteins are monomers in solution or bound to DNA. Transfection assays indicate that each of the four NF-AT proteins can activate the IL-2 promoter in T cells.

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe MBF complex requires heterodimerization for entry into S phase

In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, MBF is a DNA-binding complex suspected to activate the transcription of genes necessary for entry into S phase. The MBF complex contains both p85cdc10 and p72res1/sct1. To obtain a better understanding of how the MBF complex regulates gene expression at the G1/S transition, we have performed a genetic analysis of p72res1. We determined that p72res1 can bind specifically to the cdc22 promoter, when analyzed by gel mobility shift assay, and that the N-terminal 157 amino acids of p72res1 are sufficient for this specific binding. When overexpressed in vivo, a fragment of p72res1 containing this DNA-binding domain could rescue a strain carrying a temperature-sensitive cdc10 allele at the restrictive temperature as well as a strain with a cdc10 null allele. We also determined that the C-terminal region of p72res1 is necessary and sufficient for binding to p85cdc10. Overexpression of the cdc10-binding domain of p72res1 leads to a G1 arrest with a cdc phenotype and a decrease on MBF activity. Overexpression of full-length p72res1 also leads to a growth arrest that can be rescued by overexpression of p85cdc10. These results imply that the MBF activity in vivo is dependent on the interaction of p85cdc10 with p72res1.