Functional dissection of the transcription factor Elk-1

Oncogene. 1994 Apr;9(4):1273-8.

Abstract

The ternary complex factor Elk-1 belongs to the Ets oncoprotein family. We demonstrate that this transcription factor is localized predominantly in the nucleus, for which at least two regions of Elk-1 are required. One of these regions is part of the N-terminal ETS-domain, while the other encompasses amino acids 137-157. In conjunction with the ETS-domain, which mediates autonomous binding of Elk-1 to some DNA target sequences, the conserved B-region is both necessary and sufficient for ternary complex formation with the c-fos serum response element and the serum response factor. However, the B-region must be linked to the ETS-domain by a spacer. Furthermore, the B-region impedes autonomous DNA-binding, possibly by masking the ETS-domain. A point mutation within the ETS-domain, homologous to the ts1.1 point mutation of v-Ets in the E26 virus, affects DNA-binding of Elk-1 in a temperature-dependent manner, which by analogy might be causative for the altered phenotype of ts1.1 E26. Finally we show that amino acids 83-428 contribute to Elk-1 mediated transactivation. In particular, the region 376-404 is indispensable for transactivation, while flanking amino acids on both sides are only required for enhancement of transcriptional efficacy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cell Nucleus / chemistry
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins*
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Genes, fos
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis
  • Point Mutation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
  • Retroviridae Proteins, Oncogenic / chemistry*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins*
  • Temperature
  • Transcription Factors*
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Transfection
  • ets-Domain Protein Elk-1

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • ELK1 protein, human
  • Fungal Proteins
  • GAL4 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Retroviridae Proteins, Oncogenic
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • ets-Domain Protein Elk-1
  • DNA