CDP and AP-2 mediated repression mechanism of the replication-dependent hamster histone H3.2 promoter

J Cell Biochem. 2002;84(4):699-707. doi: 10.1002/jcb.10094.

Abstract

The replication-dependent hamster histone H3.2 promoter contains two tandem CCAAT repeats located upstream of the TATA element. It has been shown that the NF-Y/CBF complex binds to a single CCAAT motif with high affinity, whereas the CCAAT displacement protein (CDP) binds to at least two CCAAT motifs in close proximity. Here, we report that the two CCAAT motifs within the H3.2 promoter confer transcriptional repression of the promoter during the cell cycle. While we cannot detect direct association of CDP with Rb in vitro, we discover that CDP can bind AP-2, a ubiquitous factor that interacts with Rb. The interaction domains between CDP and AP-2 are mapped to the highly conserved cut repeats of CDP as well as the basic and dimerization region of AP-2. Further, in transfection assays, CDP and AP-2 act synergistically to suppress the H3.2 promoter. Together, these data support a repression mechanism mediated by CDP and AP-2 that regulates H3.2 gene expression during the mammalian cell cycle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • DNA Replication
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Fibroblasts
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Gene Silencing / physiology
  • Histones / genetics*
  • Mammals
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic*
  • Repressor Proteins / physiology*
  • Tandem Repeat Sequences / physiology
  • Transcription Factor AP-2
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Histones
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factor AP-2
  • Transcription Factors