Transcriptional activity of Sp1 is regulated by molecular interactions between the zinc finger DNA binding domain and the inhibitory domain with corepressors, and this interaction is modulated by MEK

J Biol Chem. 2005 Jul 29;280(30):28061-71. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M414134200. Epub 2005 May 6.

Abstract

Sp1 activates the transcription of many cellular and viral genes with the GC-box in either the proximal promoter or the enhancer. Sp1 is composed of several functional domains, such as the inhibitory domain (ID), two serine/threonine-rich domains, two glutamine-rich domains, three C2H2-type zinc finger DNA binding domains (ZFDBD), and a C-terminal D domain. The ZDDBD is the most highly conserved domain among the Sp-family transcription factors and plays a critical role in GC-box recognition. In this study, we investigated the protein-protein interactions occurring at the Sp1ZFDBD and the Sp1ID, and the molecular mechanisms controlling the interaction. Our results found that Sp1ZFDBD and Sp1ID repressed transcription once they were targeted to the proximal promoter of the pGal4 UAS reporter fusion gene system, suggesting molecular interaction with the repressor molecules. Indeed, mammalian two-hybrid assays, GST fusion protein pull-down assays, and co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that Sp1ZFDBD and Sp1ID are able to interact with corepressor proteins such as SMRT, NcoR, and BCoR. The molecular interactions appear to be regulated by MAP kinase/Erk kinase kinase (MEK). The molecular interactions between Sp1ID and the corepressor might explain the role of Sp1 as a repressor under certain circumstances. The siRNA-induced degradation of the corepressors resulted in an up-regulation of Sp1-dependent transcription. The cellular context of the corepressors and the regulation of molecular interaction between corepressors and Sp1ZFDBD or Sp1ID might be important in controlling Sp1 activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Drosophila
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Glutathione Transferase / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / metabolism*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Mutation
  • Plasmids / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor / physiology*
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Transcriptional Activation*
  • Transfection
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques
  • Zinc Fingers

Substances

  • CDKN1A protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor
  • DNA
  • Luciferases
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases