Altering DNA-binding specificity of GAL4 requires sequences adjacent to the zinc finger

Transcriptional Activation of Biosynthetic Gene Clusters in Filamentous Fungi

Filamentous fungi are highly productive cell factories, many of which are industrial producers of enzymes, organic acids, and secondary metabolites. The increasing number of sequenced fungal genomes revealed a vast and unexplored biosynthetic potential in the form of transcriptionally silent secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Various strategies have been carried out to explore and mine this untapped source of bioactive molecules, and with the advent of synthetic biology, novel applications, and tools have been developed for filamentous fungi. Here we summarize approaches aiming for the expression of endogenous or exogenous natural product BGCs, including synthetic transcription factors, assembly of artificial transcription units, gene cluster refactoring, fungal shuttle vectors, and platform strains.

The chimeric GaaR-XlnR transcription factor induces pectinolytic activities in the presence of D-xylose in Aspergillus niger

Abstract

Aspergillus niger is a filamentous fungus well known for its ability to produce a wide variety of pectinolytic enzymes, which have many applications in the industry. The transcriptional activator GaaR is induced by 2-keto-3-deoxy-L-galactonate, a compound derived from D-galacturonic acid, and plays a major role in the regulation of pectinolytic genes. The requirement for inducer molecules can be a limiting factor for the production of enzymes. Therefore, the generation of chimeric transcription factors able to activate the expression of pectinolytic genes by using underutilized agricultural residues would be highly valuable for industrial applications. In this study, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate three chimeric GaaR-XlnR transcription factors expressed by the xlnR promoter by swapping the N-terminal region of the xylanolytic regulator XlnR to that of the GaaR in A. niger. As a test case, we constructed a PpgaX-hph reporter strain to evaluate the alteration of transcription factor specificity in the chimeric mutants. Our results showed that the chimeric GaaR-XlnR transcription factor was induced in the presence of D-xylose. Additionally, we generated a constitutively active GaaR-XlnR V756F version of the most efficient chimeric transcription factor to better assess its activity. Proteomics analysis confirmed the production of several pectinolytic enzymes by ΔgaaR mutants carrying the chimeric transcription factor. This correlates with the improved release of D-galacturonic acid from pectin by the GaaR-XlnR V756F mutant, as well as by the increased L-arabinose release from the pectin side chains by both chimeric mutants under inducing condition, which is required for efficient degradation of pectin.

Key points

• Chimeric transcription factors were generated by on-site mutations using CRISPR/Cas9.

• PpgaX-hph reporter strain allowed for the screening of functional GaaR-XlnR mutants.

• Chimeric GaaR-XlnR induced pectinolytic activities in the presence of D-xylose.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00253-021-11428-2.

Phosphorylation of the Gal4 DNA-binding domain is essential for activator mono-ubiquitylation and efficient promoter occupancy

Recent analysis of a Gal4 mutant (Gap71) carrying three point mutations (S22D, K23Q and K25F) in its DNA-binding domain (DBD), has demonstrated that it cannot occupy GAL promoters efficiently in cells and that it is not mono-ubiquitylated, suggesting a functional link between this modification and stable DNA binding in cells. The mechanistic underpinning of this phenotype is that this protein is hypersensitive to a newly discovered activity of the proteasomal ATPases--their ability to actively dissociate transcription factor-DNA complexes after direct interaction with the activation domain. In this paper, we examine the roles of each of the three point mutations contained in Gap71 individually. These experiments have revealed that serine 22 is a site of phosphorylation in the Gal4 DBD and that lysine 23 is essential for S22 phosphorylation, possibly acting as part of the kinase recognition site. Mutation of either residue blocks Gal4 DBD phosphorylation, its subsequent ubiquitylation and compromises the ability of the activator to bind promoter DNA in vivo. These data represent the first report of an essential phosphorylation event that is critical for the activity of this paradigmatic transcription factor.

The role of the proteasomal ATPases and activator monoubiquitylation in regulating Gal4 binding to promoters

Recent studies have shown that the intersection between transcription and proteins involved in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway encompasses both proteolytic and nonproteolytic functions. Examples of the latter type include evidence that monoubiquitylation of some transcriptional activators stimulates their activity. In addition, the proteasomal ATPases are recruited to many active promoters through binding to activators and play an important, nonproteolytic role in promoter escape and elongation. In this study, we report the discovery of a new nonproteolytic activity of the proteasome (specifically the proteasomal ATPases): the active destabilization of activator-promoter complexes. This reaction depends on the presence of an activation domain and ATP. Destabilization is inhibited in vitro and in vivo if the protein is monoubiquitylated or if ubiquitin is genetically fused to the activator. The fact that monoubiquitylated activator is resistant to the "stripping" activity of the proteasomal ATPases may explain, in part, why some activators require this modification in order to function efficiently.

Hansenula polymorpha NMR2 and NMR4, two new loci involved in nitrogen metabolite repression

In the yeast Hansenula polymorpha (Pichia angusta) nitrate assimilation is tightly regulated and subject to a dual control: nitrogen metabolite repression (NMR), triggered by reduced nitrogen compounds, and induction, elicited by nitrate itself. In a previous paper [Serrani, F., Rossi, B. and Berardi, E (2001) Nitrogen metabolite repression in Hansenula polymorpha: the nmrl-l mutation. Curr. Genet. 40, 243-250], we identified five loci (NMR1-NMR5) involved in NMR, and characterised one of them (NMR1), which likely identifies a regulatory factor. Here, we describe two more mutants, namely nmr2-1 and nmr4-1. The first one possibly identifies a regulatory factor involved in nitrogen metabolite repression by various nitrogen sources alternative to ammonium. The second one, apparently involved in ammonium assimilation, probably has sensor functions.

Parallel, quantitative measurement of protein binding to a 120-element double-stranded DNA array in real time using surface plasmon resonance microscopy

Quantitative, real-time measurement of kinetics of sequence-specific binding of DNA-binding proteins to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) immobilized in a 10 x 12 array on a planar gold surface is demonstrated using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) microscopy. This binding of the yeast transcription factor Gal4 to a 120-spot dsDNA array made with alternating 200-microm spots of its dsDNA operator sequence and an unrelated DNA sequence proves that this method could be used to simultaneously monitor the kinetics of binding of proteins to 120 different dsDNA sequences with a sensitivity to approximately 0.5 pg (<2 x 10(7) molecules) of bound protein in each array spot at a time resolution of 1 s. The method is label free and also allows absolute quantitative determination of the binding stoichiometry (i.e., the number of proteins bound per dsDNA) at each time. The dsDNA array was fabricated using a robotic microspotting system to deliver nanoliter droplets of biotinylated dsDNA solutions onto a streptavidin linker layer immobilized with biotinylated alkylthiols on a thin gold film. Simultaneous monitoring of binding to the many array elements allows the use of reference spots (i.e., array elements with unrelated dsDNA sequences) to correct the signal for nonspecific protein-DNA binding and changes in bulk refractive index of the solutions in the SPR microscope's flow cell. This allows high-throughput analyses of the kinetics and equilibrium of protein-dsDNA binding.

Cross-pathway regulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: activation of the proline utilization pathway by Ga14p in vivo

The Put3p and Gal4p transcriptional activators are members of a distinct class of fungal regulators called the Cys(6) Zn(II)(2) binuclear cluster family. This family includes over 50 different Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteins that share a similar domain organization. Gal4p activates the genes of the galactose utilization pathway permitting the use of galactose as the sole source of carbon and energy. Put3p controls the expression of the proline utilization pathway that allows yeast cells to grow on proline as the sole nitrogen source. We report that Gal4p can activate the PUT structural genes in a strain lacking Put3p. We also show that the activation of PUT2 by Gal4p depends on the presence of the inducer galactose and the Put3p binding site and that activation increases with increased dosage of Gal4p. Put3p cannot activate the GAL genes in the absence of Gal4p. Our in vivo results confirm previously published in vitro data showing that Gal4p is more promiscuous than Put3p in its DNA binding ability. The results also suggest that under appropriate circumstances, Gal4p may be able to function in place of a related family member to activate expression.

Regulatory implications of protein assemblies at the gamma origin of plasmid R6K - a review

Recognition of the replication origin (ori) by initiator protein is a recurring theme for the regulated initiation of DNA replication in diverse biological systems. The objective of the work reviewed here is to understand the initiation process focusing specifically on the gamma-ori of the antibiotic-resistance plasmid R6K. The control of gamma-ori copy number is determined by both plasmid-encoded and host-encoded factors. The two central regulatory elements of the plasmid are a multifunctional initiator protein pi, and sequence-related DNA target sites, the inverted half-repeats (IRs) and the direct repeats (DRs). The replication activator and inhibitor activities of pi seem to be at least partially distributed between two naturally occurring pi polypeptides (designated by their molecular weights pi35.0 and pi30.5). Regulatory variants of pi with altered states of oligomerization in nucleoprotein complexes with DRs and IRs have been isolated. The properties of these mutants laid the foundation for our model of pi protein activity which proposes that different protein surfaces are required for the formation of functionally distinct complexes of pi with DRs and IRs. These mutants also suggest that pi polypeptides have a modular structure; the C-terminus contains the DNA-binding domain while the N-terminus controls protein oligomerization. Additionally, pi35.0 binds to a novel DNA sequence in the A+T-rich segment of gamma-ori. This binding site is at or near the site from which synthesis of the leading strand begins.

Assemblies of replication initiator protein on symmetric and asymmetric DNA sequences depend on multiple protein oligomerization surfaces

The pi35.0 protein of plasmid R6K regulates transcription and replication by binding a DNA sequence motif (TGAGR) arranged either asymmetrically into 22 bp direct repeats (DRs) in the gamma origin, or symmetrically into inverted half-repeats (IRs) in the operator of its own gene, pir. The binding patterns of the two natural forms of the pi protein and their heterodimers revealed that the predominant species, pi35.0 (35.0 kDa), can bind to a single copy of the DR as either a monomer or a dimer while pi30.5 (30.5 kDa) binds only as a dimer. We demonstrate that only one subunit of a pi35.0 dimer makes specific contact with DNA. Electron microscopic (EM) analysis of the nucleoprotein complexes formed by pi35.0 and DNA fragments containing all seven DRs revealed coupled ("hand-cuffed") DNA molecules that are aligned in a parallel orientation. Antiparallel orientations of the DNA were not observed. Thus, hand-cuffing depends on a highly ordered oligomerization of pi35.0 in such structures. The pi protein (pi35.0, pi30.5) binds to an IR as a dimer or heterodimer but not as a monomer. Moreover, a single amino acid residue substitution, F200S (pir200), introduced into pi30.5 severely destabilizes dimers of this protein in solution and concomitantly prevents binding of this protein to the IR. This mutation also changes the stability of pi35.0 dimers but it does not change the ability of pi35.0 to bind IRs. To explain these observations we propose that the diverse interactions of pi variants with DNA are controlled by multiple surfaces for protein oligomerization.

Alterations in the GAL4 DNA-binding domain can affect transcriptional activation independent of DNA binding

The GAL4 protein belongs to a large class of fungal transcriptional activator proteins encoding within their DNA-binding domains (DBD) six cysteines that coordinate two atoms of zinc (the Zn2Cys6 domain). In an effort to characterize the interactions between the Zn2Cys6 class transcriptional activator proteins and their DNA-binding sites, we have replaced in the full-length GAL4 protein small regions of the Zn2Cys6 domain with the analogous regions of another Zn2Cys6 protein called PPR1 an activator of pyrimidine biosynthetic genes. Alterations between the first and third cysteines abolished binding to GAL4 (upstream activation sequence of GAL (UASG)) or PPR1 (upstream acitvation sequence of UAS) DNA-binding sites and severely reduced transcriptional activation in yeast. In contrast, alterations between the third and fourth cysteines had only minor effects on binding to UASG but led to substantial decreases in activation in both yeast and a mammalian cell line. In the crystal structure of the GAL4 DBD-UASG complex (Marmorstein, R., Carey, M., Ptashne, M., and Harrison, S. C. (1992) Nature 356, 408-414), this region is facing away from the DNA, making it likely that there exists within the GAL4 DBD an accessible domain important in activation.

Molecular characterization of mutants of the acetate regulatory gene facB of Aspergillus nidulans

The facB gene of Aspergillus nidulans encodes a DNA binding transcriptional activator required for growth on acetate as a sole carbon source. FacB contains N-terminal GAL4-like Zn(II)2Cys6 (or C6 zinc) binuclear cluster DNA binding and leucine zipper-like heptad repeat motifs and central and C-terminal acidic alpha-helical regions. facB recessive loss of function mutants are deficient in acetate induction of acetyl-CoA synthase, isocitrate lyase, malate synthase, acetamidase, and NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase. Characterization of lesions in facB mutant alleles has localized important functional regions of the FacB protein. Two extreme mutants are shown to lack the C-terminal region of the protein. Two temperature sensitive mutants contain amino acid substitutions in the DNA binding domain and are shown to affect acetate induction of amdS-lacZ expression and confer temperature sensitive in vitro DNA binding. Two temperature sensitive facB mutations result in thermolability of acetyl-CoA synthase, isocitrate lyase, and malate synthase but not acetamidase or NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase in crude extracts. This suggests that FacB may have a structural role in acetate metabolism in addition to its regulatory function.

Evolution of a fungal regulatory gene family: the Zn(II)2Cys6 binuclear cluster DNA binding motif

The coevolution of DNA binding proteins and their cognate binding sites is essential for the maintenance of function. As a result, comparison of DNA binding proteins of unknown function in one species with characterized DNA binding proteins in another can identify potential targets and functions. The Zn(II)2Cys6 (or C6 zinc) binuclear cluster DNA binding domain has thus far been identified exclusively in fungal proteins, generally transcriptional regulators, and there are more than 80 known or predicted proteins which contain this motif, the best characterized of which are GAL4, PPR1, LEU3, HAP1, LAC9, and PUT3. Here we review all known proteins containing the Zn(II)2Cys6 motif, along with their function, DNA binding, dimerization, and zinc(II) coordination properties and DNA binding sites. In addition, we have identified all of the Zn(II)2Cys6 motif-containing proteins in the sequence databases, including a large number with unknown function from the completed Saccharomyces cerevisiae and ongoing Schizosaccharomyces pombe genome projects, and examined the phylogenetic relationships of all the Zn(II)2Cys6 motifs from these proteins. Based on these relationships, we have assigned potential functions to a number of these unknown proteins.

Some DNA targets of the yeast CYP1 transcriptional activator are functionally asymmetric--evidence of two half-sites with different affinities

CYP1 protein is a yeast transcriptional regulator which contains a zinc cluster in its DNA-binding domain. It was recently shown by selecting random CYP1 binding sites that CYP1 protein recognizes with a higher affinity targets containing the CGGNNNTANCGG consensus sequence. Notably, this ideal sequence is however not found in wild-type CYP1 target sites. In order to investigate how CYP1 protein actually binds to its targets, mutations were introduced in three of them (UAS1-A/CYC1, UAS1-A/CYB2, UAS/CYC7) and the consequences towards the binding of purified CYP1-(1-200)-peptide were analyzed. Our data support the following conclusions: (a) When the sequence element contains two CGGs and no TA, both CGGs are essential for binding. (b) If the sequence element contains only the right CGG and the TA, both are sufficient but indispensable for the binding of CYP1. (c) When two CGCs and the TA are present, the right CGC, and not the left one, is essential for the binding of CYP1. (d) CYP1-(1-200)-peptide is usually a monomer in solution but binds DNA as a dimer. Finally, we found evidence for the presence of two half-sites with different measured affinities in the asymmetric sequences of some CYP1 targets.

A novel DNA binding motif for yeast zinc cluster proteins: the Leu3p and Pdr3p transcriptional activators recognize everted repeats

The Gal4, Put3, and Ppr1 yeast zinc cluster proteins bind as homodimers to DNA sequences composed of palindromic CGG triplets. Spacing between the triplets specifies the target site for a given zinc cluster protein. In addition, Hap1p, another zinc cluster protein, also recognizes CGG triplets but only when oriented as a direct repeat. Unexpectedly, our results show that Leu3p, another member of this family, also recognizes CGG triplets but oriented in opposite directions and spaced by 4 nucleotides (an everted repeat or inverted palindrome: CCG-N4-CGG). This constitutes a novel DNA motif for zinc cluster proteins. Moreover, the presence of this motif was shown to be essential for in vivo activation by Leu3p of a minimal reporter containing one copy of a target site for this activator. We also provide evidence that another member of this family, Pdr3p, binds to an everted repeat spaced by 0 nucleotides (CCGCGG). Thus, our results show that three CGG motifs are used by members of the zinc cluster family: palindromes, direct repeats, and everted repeats.

DNA sequence preferences of GAL4 and PPR1: how a subset of Zn2 Cys6 binuclear cluster proteins recognizes DNA

Biophysical and genetic experiments have defined how the Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein GAL4 and a subset of related proteins recognize specific DNA sequences. We assessed DNA sequence preferences of GAL4 and a related protein, PPR1, in an in vitro DNA binding assay. For GAL4, the palindromic CGG triplets at the ends of the 17-bp recognition site are essential for tight binding, whereas the identities of the internal 11 bp are much less important, results consistent with the GAL4-DNA crystal structure. Small reductions in affinity due to mutations at the center-most 5 bp are consistent with the idea that an observed constriction in the minor groove in the crystalline GAL4-DNA complex is sequence dependent. The crystal structure suggests that this sequence dependence is due to phosphate contacts mediated by arginine 51, as part of a network of hydrogen bonds. Here we show that the mutant protein GAL4(1-100)R51A fails to discriminate sites with alterations in the center of the site from the wild-type site. PPR1, a relative of GAL4, also recognizes palindromic CGG triplets at the ends of its 12-bp recognition sequence. The identities of the internal 6 bp do not influence the binding of PPR1. We also show that the PPR1 site consists of a 12-bp duplex rather than 16 bp as reported previously: the two T residues immediately 5' to the CGG sequence in each half site, although highly conserved, are not important for binding by PPR1. Thus, GAL4 and PPR1 share common CGG half sites, but they prefer DNA sequences with the palindromic CGG separated by the appropriate number of base pairs, 11 for GAL4 and 6 for PPR1.

Mutations in target DNA elements of yeast HAP1 modulate its transcriptional activity without affecting DNA binding

The yeast zinc cluster protein HAP1, a member of the GAL4 family, is a transcriptional activator that binds as a homodimer to target DNA sequences. These targets include the upstream activating sequences of the CYC1 and CYC7 genes, which have no obvious sequence similarity. Even though both sites have the same affinity for HAP1, activation differs at these two sites, even when the sequences are placed in an identical promoter context. In addition, mutants of HAP1 that can bind to both sites but are specifically transcriptionally inactive at CYC7 have been previously isolated. In order to identify nucleotides that are responsible for this differential activity, we have performed random and site-directed mutagenesis of these target sites and assayed their binding to HAP1 in vitro and their activity in vivo in reporter plasmids. Our results show that HAP1 binding sites are degenerate forms of the direct repeat CGG N3 TA N CGG N3 TA. Moreover, we show that activity of HAP1 mutants defective for activation of the CYC7gene is restored by specific mutations in the CYC7 binding site. Conversely, other mutations of the target sites prevent activation by HAP1, without interfering with DNA binding. The results suggest that the sequence of the target sites influences the conformation and, hence, the activity of DNA-bound HAP1.

A physico-chemical investigation of the self-association of the DNA binding domain of the yeast transcriptional activator GAL4

It has previously been suggested that the DNA binding domain (residues 1 to 147) of the yeast transcriptional activator GAL4 exists in solution in dimeric form, with the region responsible for dimerisation somewhere between residues 74 and 147. In this study limited proteolysis and carboxy-terminal deletions of the DNA binding domain (residues 1 to 147) of the yeast transcriptional activator GAL4 followed by subsequent characterization by equilibrium sedimentation in the analytical ultracentrifuge have been used to define more precisely the regions required for DNA binding and protein self-association. Sedimentation equilibrium analyses confirmed that the 'hydrophobic region' of the protein (residues 54-97, which contains a larger proportion of alpha-helix), is essential for dimerisation, with an apparent dissociation constant K(D,app), of approximately 50 microM for the 1-94 residue peptide and approximately 20 microM for the 1-147 residue peptide. Our studies do not rule out the possible formation of small amounts of additional higher order complexes.

From carpet bombing to cruise missiles: the 'second-order' mechanisms used by transcription factors to ensure specific DNA binding in vivo

Transcription factors generally have only modest specificity for their target sites, yet must find them in a sea of non-specific DNA. Some transcription factors are expressed at very high levels, to ensure that, despite losses to non-specific binding, the promoter is still occupied (the carpet-bombing strategy). Others increase their binding specificity by collaborating with other factors in a variety of ways.

The dangers of 'splicing and dicing': on the use of chimeric transcriptional activators in vitro

Chimeric transcription factors composed of heterologous DNA-binding and activation domains are often used to study the regulation of gene expression. The fact that such preparations also contain molecules in which only one of the two domains is functional is often overlooked, but a surprisingly small proportion of inactive domains could cause serious problems in the interpretation of quantitative data.

Distribution of labor among bZIP segments in the control of DNA affinity and specificity

BACKGROUND

The basic region-leucine zipper (bZIP) family of proteins use an atypically simple motif for DNA recognition, yet family members discriminate differently between target sites that differ only in half-site spacing. Two such sites are the cAMP-response element (CRE) and the AP-1 target site. Fos/Jun prefers the AP-1 site (ATGACTCAT), while CRE-BP1 prefers CRE (ATGACGTCAT), and GCN4 binds both sites with equal affinity. We therefore asked what determines the relative specificity for CRE and AP-1 sites in bZIP proteins.

RESULTS

Here we show that CRE/AP-1 specificity in CRE-BP1 is encoded within the spacer and basic segments of the bZIP element. Of these two regions, the basic segment is the more important. This specificity is in part achieved at the expense of affinity.

CONCLUSIONS

The small size and simplicity of the bZIP recognition helix was already unusual; our findings show that the information that determines the target site specificity of members of the bZIP family of proteins is even more condensed than expected. These results suggest that it may be possible to design surprisingly small proteins that bind DNA with high sequence specificity, although it may be more difficult to achieve high-affinity binding in small proteins.

PDR3, a new yeast regulatory gene, is homologous to PDR1 and controls the multidrug resistance phenomenon

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae PDR3 gene, located near the centromere of chromosome II, has been completely sequenced and characterised. Mutations pdr3-1 and pdr3-2, which confer resistance to several antibiotics can be complemented by a wild-type allele of the PDR3 gene. The sequence of the wild-type PDR3 gene revealed the presence of a long open reading frame capable of encoding a 976-amino acid protein. The protein contains a single Zn(II)2Cys6 binuclear-type zinc finger homologous to the DNA-binding motifs of other transcriptional activators from lower eukaryotes. Evidence that the PDR3 protein is a transcriptional activator was provided by demonstrating that DNA-bound LexA-PDR3 fusion proteins stimulate expression of a nearby promoter containing LexA binding sites. The use of LexA-PDR3 fusions revealed that the protein contains two activation domains, one localised near the N-terminal, cysteine-rich domain and the other localised at the C-terminus. The salient feature of the PDR3 protein is its similarity to the protein coded by PDR1, a gene responsible for pleiotropic drug resistance. The two proteins show 36% amino acid identity over their entire length and their zinc finger DNA-binding domains are highly conserved. The fact that the absence of both PDR1 and PDR3 (simultaneous disruption of the two genes) enhances multidrug sensitivity strongly suggests that the two transcriptional factors have closely related functions.

Molecular architecture of a Leu3p-DNA complex in solution: a biochemical approach

The Leu3 protein (Leu3p) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a pleiotropic transregulator that can function both as an activator and as a repressor of transcription. It binds to upstream promoter elements (UASLEU) with the consensus sequence 5'-GCCGGNNCCGGC-3'. The DNA-binding motif of Leu3p belongs to the family of Zn(II)2-Cys6 clusters. The motif is located between amino acid residues 37 and 67 of the 886-residue protein. In this study, we used a recombinant peptide consisting of residues 17 to 147 to explore the interaction between Leu3p and its cognate DNA. We found that the Leu3p(17-147) peptide is a monomer in the absence of UASLEU but assumes a dimeric structure when the DNA is present. Results of protein-DNA cross-linking and methylation and ethylation interference footprinting experiments show that the Leu3p(17-147) dimer interacts symmetrically with two contact triplets separated by 6 bp and suggest that the peptide approaches its target DNA in such a way that each subunit is positioned closer to one DNA strand than to the other. The binding of Leu3p is strongly affected by the spacing between the contact triplets of the UASLEU and by the type of triplet. Binding occurs when the triplets are 6 bp apart (normal spacing) but fails to occur when the triplets are 0, 5, or 8 bp apart. Weak binding occurs when the triplets are 7 bp apart. Binding does not occur when the UASLEU triplets (GCC....GGC) are replaced with triplets found in the UAS elements for Gal4p, Put3p, and Ppr1p (CGG....CCG). The apparent Kd for the normal Leu3p(17-147)-UASLEU complex is about 3 nM. A mutant form of Leu3p(17-147) in which the histidine at position 50 has been replaced with cysteine binds UASLEU with significantly greater affinity (apparent Kd of about 0.7 nM), even though the interaction between the mutant peptide and target DNA appears to be unchanged. Interestingly, repression of basal-level transcription, which is a hallmark property of the wild-type Leu3p(17-147) peptide, is largely lost with the mutant peptide, indicating that there is no direct correlation between strength of binding and repression.

Molecular architecture of a Leu3p-DNA complex in solution: a biochemical approach

The Leu3 protein (Leu3p) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a pleiotropic transregulator that can function both as an activator and as a repressor of transcription. It binds to upstream promoter elements (UASLEU) with the consensus sequence 5'-GCCGGNNCCGGC-3'. The DNA-binding motif of Leu3p belongs to the family of Zn(II)2-Cys6 clusters. The motif is located between amino acid residues 37 and 67 of the 886-residue protein. In this study, we used a recombinant peptide consisting of residues 17 to 147 to explore the interaction between Leu3p and its cognate DNA. We found that the Leu3p(17-147) peptide is a monomer in the absence of UASLEU but assumes a dimeric structure when the DNA is present. Results of protein-DNA cross-linking and methylation and ethylation interference footprinting experiments show that the Leu3p(17-147) dimer interacts symmetrically with two contact triplets separated by 6 bp and suggest that the peptide approaches its target DNA in such a way that each subunit is positioned closer to one DNA strand than to the other. The binding of Leu3p is strongly affected by the spacing between the contact triplets of the UASLEU and by the type of triplet. Binding occurs when the triplets are 6 bp apart (normal spacing) but fails to occur when the triplets are 0, 5, or 8 bp apart. Weak binding occurs when the triplets are 7 bp apart. Binding does not occur when the UASLEU triplets (GCC....GGC) are replaced with triplets found in the UAS elements for Gal4p, Put3p, and Ppr1p (CGG....CCG). The apparent Kd for the normal Leu3p(17-147)-UASLEU complex is about 3 nM. A mutant form of Leu3p(17-147) in which the histidine at position 50 has been replaced with cysteine binds UASLEU with significantly greater affinity (apparent Kd of about 0.7 nM), even though the interaction between the mutant peptide and target DNA appears to be unchanged. Interestingly, repression of basal-level transcription, which is a hallmark property of the wild-type Leu3p(17-147) peptide, is largely lost with the mutant peptide, indicating that there is no direct correlation between strength of binding and repression.

Determinants of binding-site specificity among yeast C6 zinc cluster proteins

Related DNA binding proteins often recognize similar DNA sites but can distinguish among them with the use of different protein-DNA contacts. Here, it is shown that members of the C6 zinc cluster family of yeast transcriptional activators distinguish related DNA sites by a different mechanism. The DNA binding site for each of these proteins contains identical nucleotide triplets (CGG ... CCG) but differs in the spacings between the triplets. It is shown that zinc clusters of these proteins work interchangeably to recognize the conserved triplets and that the region 19 amino acids to the carboxyl-terminal side of the zinc cluster, comprising the linker and the beginning of a dimerization element as inferred from the GAL4 crystal structure, directs the protein to its preferred site.

Zinc finger point mutations within the WT1 gene in Wilms tumor patients

A proposed Wilms tumor gene, WT1, which encodes a zinc finger protein, has previously been isolated from human chromosome 11p13. Chemical mismatch cleavage analysis was used to identify point mutations in the zinc finger region of this gene in a series of 32 Wilms tumors. Two exonic single base changes were detected. In zinc finger 3 of a bilateral Wilms tumor patient, a constitutional de novo C----T base change was found changing an arginine to a stop codon. One tumor from this patient showed allele loss leading to 11p hemizygosity of the abnormal allele. In zinc finger 2 of a sporadic Wilms tumor patient, a C----T base change resulted in an arginine to cysteine amino acid change. To our knowledge, a WT1 gene missense mutation has not been detected previously in a Wilms tumor. By comparison with a recent NMR and x-ray crystallographic analysis of an analogous zinc finger gene, early growth response gene 1 (EGR1), this amino acid change in WT1 occurs at a residue predicted to be critical for DNA binding capacity and site specificity. The detection of one nonsense point mutation and one missense WT1 gene point mutation adds to the accumulating evidence implicating this gene in a proportion of Wilms tumor patients.

Structure of the DNA-binding domain of zinc GAL4

The yeast transcriptional activator GAL4 binds co-operatively to four related 17-base-pair sequences within an upstream activating sequence (UASG) to activate transcription of the GAL1 and GAL10 genes. It belongs to a class of gene regulatory proteins which all contain a highly conserved cysteine-rich region within their DNA-binding domains. This region binds zinc and it has been proposed that the cysteine residues coordinate the zinc, creating a structure analogous to one of the 'zinc fingers' of the transcription factor TFIIIA (ref. 8). Using 1H-113Cd two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of the cadmium form of the domain, we previously showed that the protein contains a Cd2Cys6 cluster where cysteines 11 and 28 act as bridging ligands. A similar study of a fragment of GAL4 has recently been published. We report here the solution structure of the DNA binding domain of GAL4; two helix-turn-strand motifs pack around a Zn2Cys6 cluster in a novel pseudo-symmetrical arrangement. The results show that the GAL4 zinc-binding domain differs significantly from both the TFIIIA-type zinc finger and the steroid hormone receptor DNA-binding domains.

DNA recognition by GAL4: structure of a protein-DNA complex

A specific DNA complex of the 65-residue, N-terminal fragment of the yeast transcriptional activator, GAL4, has been analysed at 2.7 A resolution by X-ray crystallography. The protein binds as a dimer to a symmetrical 17-base-pair sequence. A small, Zn(2+)-containing domain recognizes a conserved CCG triplet at each end of the site through direct contacts with the major groove. A short coiled-coil dimerization element imposes 2-fold symmetry. A segment of extended polypeptide chain links the metal-binding module to the dimerization element and specifies the length of the site. The relatively open structure of the complex would allow another protein to bind coordinately with GAL4.

Determination of the DNA binding site of the GAL4 protein. A photo-CIDNP study

After the assignment of 1H NMR signals of aromatic side chains by means of specific deuteration, we analyzed the DNA binding site of GAL4 by measuring photo-CIDNP spectra. The results showed that Trp36 is involved in both the specific interaction with UASG and non-specific DNA binding. This residue is located inside the Cys-rich region, but outside the putative Zn-finger. The photo-CIDNP spectrum also showed that the side chains of Tyr40 and His53 are not exposed on the surface of the protein.

nit-4, a pathway-specific regulatory gene of Neurospora crassa, encodes a protein with a putative binuclear zinc DNA-binding domain

nit-4, a pathway-specific regulatory gene in the nitrogen circuit of Neurospora crassa, is required for the expression of nit-3 and nit-6, the structural genes which encode nitrate and nitrite reductase, respectively. The complete nucleotide sequence of the nit-4 gene has been determined. The predicted NIT4 protein contains 1,090 amino acids and appears to possess a single Zn(II)2Cys6 binuclear-type zinc finger, which may mediate DNA binding. Site-directed mutagenesis studies demonstrated that cysteine and other conserved amino acid residues in this possible DNA-binding domain are necessary for nit-4 function. A stretch of 27 glutamines, encoded by a CAGCAA repeating sequence, occurs in the C terminus of the NIT4 protein, and a second glutamine-rich domain occurs further upstream. A NIT4 protein deleted for the polyglutamine region was still functional in vivo. However, nit-4 function was abolished when both the polyglutamine region and the glutamine-rich domain were deleted, suggesting that the glutamine-rich domain might function in transcriptional activation. The homologous regulatory gene from Aspergillus nidulans, nirA, encodes a protein whose amino-terminal half has approximately 60% amino acid identity with NIT4 but whose carboxy terminus is completely different. A hybrid nit-4-nirA gene was constructed and found to function in N. crassa.

nit-4, a pathway-specific regulatory gene of Neurospora crassa, encodes a protein with a putative binuclear zinc DNA-binding domain

nit-4, a pathway-specific regulatory gene in the nitrogen circuit of Neurospora crassa, is required for the expression of nit-3 and nit-6, the structural genes which encode nitrate and nitrite reductase, respectively. The complete nucleotide sequence of the nit-4 gene has been determined. The predicted NIT4 protein contains 1,090 amino acids and appears to possess a single Zn(II)2Cys6 binuclear-type zinc finger, which may mediate DNA binding. Site-directed mutagenesis studies demonstrated that cysteine and other conserved amino acid residues in this possible DNA-binding domain are necessary for nit-4 function. A stretch of 27 glutamines, encoded by a CAGCAA repeating sequence, occurs in the C terminus of the NIT4 protein, and a second glutamine-rich domain occurs further upstream. A NIT4 protein deleted for the polyglutamine region was still functional in vivo. However, nit-4 function was abolished when both the polyglutamine region and the glutamine-rich domain were deleted, suggesting that the glutamine-rich domain might function in transcriptional activation. The homologous regulatory gene from Aspergillus nidulans, nirA, encodes a protein whose amino-terminal half has approximately 60% amino acid identity with NIT4 but whose carboxy terminus is completely different. A hybrid nit-4-nirA gene was constructed and found to function in N. crassa.

Direct selection for sequences encoding proteases of known specificity

We have developed a simple genetic selection that could be used to isolate eukaryotic cDNAs encoding proteases that cleave within a defined amino acid sequence. The selection was developed by using the transcription factor GAL4 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a selectable marker, a cloned protease from tobacco etch virus (TEV), and an 18-amino acid TEV protease target sequence. In yeast, TEV protease cleaves its target even when the target is fused to internal regions of the GAL4 protein. This cleavage separates the DNA binding domain from the transcription activation domain of GAL4, rendering it transcriptionally inactive. The proteolytic cleavage can be detected phenotypically by the inability of cells to metabolize galactose. Cells expressing the TEV protease can also be selected on the suicide substrate 2-deoxygalactose. DNA binding studies show that the TEV protease decreases the activity of the GAL4/target fusion protein. Because another protease target sequence of 55 amino acids can be inserted into GAL4 without any loss of transcriptional activity, this assay offers the opportunity to use high-efficiency cDNA cloning and expression vectors to select coding sequences of other proteases from various species. The assay could also be used to help define both target specificities and functional domains of proteases.

Identification of base and backbone contacts used for DNA sequence recognition and high-affinity binding by LAC9, a transcription activator containing a C6 zinc finger

The LAC9 protein of Kluyveromyces lactis is a transcriptional regulator of genes in the lactose-galactose regulon. To regulate transcription, LAC9 must bind to 17-bp upstream activator sequences (UASs) located in front of each target gene. LAC9 is homologous to the GAL4 protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the two proteins must bind DNA in a very similar manner. In this paper we show that high-affinity, sequence-specific binding by LAC9 dimers is mediated primarily by 3 bp at each end of the UAS: [Formula: see text]. In addition, at least one half of the UAS must have a GC or CG base pair at position 1 for high-affinity binding; LAC9 binds preferentially to the half containing the GC base pair. Bases at positions 2, 3, and 4 in each half of the UAS make little if any contribution to binding. The center base pair is not essential for high-affinity LAC9 binding when DNA-binding activity measured in vitro. However, the center base pair must play an essential role in vivo, since all natural UASs have 17, not 16, bp. Hydroxyl radical footprinting shows that a LAC9 dimer binds an unusually broad region on one face of the DNA helix. Because of the data, we suggest that LAC9 contacts positions 6, 7, and 8, both plus and minus, of the UAS, which are separated by more than one turn of the DNA helix, and twists part way around the DNA, thus protecting the broad region of the minor groove between the major-groove contacts.

Identification of base and backbone contacts used for DNA sequence recognition and high-affinity binding by LAC9, a transcription activator containing a C6 zinc finger

The LAC9 protein of Kluyveromyces lactis is a transcriptional regulator of genes in the lactose-galactose regulon. To regulate transcription, LAC9 must bind to 17-bp upstream activator sequences (UASs) located in front of each target gene. LAC9 is homologous to the GAL4 protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the two proteins must bind DNA in a very similar manner. In this paper we show that high-affinity, sequence-specific binding by LAC9 dimers is mediated primarily by 3 bp at each end of the UAS: [Formula: see text]. In addition, at least one half of the UAS must have a GC or CG base pair at position 1 for high-affinity binding; LAC9 binds preferentially to the half containing the GC base pair. Bases at positions 2, 3, and 4 in each half of the UAS make little if any contribution to binding. The center base pair is not essential for high-affinity LAC9 binding when DNA-binding activity measured in vitro. However, the center base pair must play an essential role in vivo, since all natural UASs have 17, not 16, bp. Hydroxyl radical footprinting shows that a LAC9 dimer binds an unusually broad region on one face of the DNA helix. Because of the data, we suggest that LAC9 contacts positions 6, 7, and 8, both plus and minus, of the UAS, which are separated by more than one turn of the DNA helix, and twists part way around the DNA, thus protecting the broad region of the minor groove between the major-groove contacts.

Spectroscopic studies of the DNA binding site of the GAL4 "zinc finger" protein

The yeast GAL4 protein, a transcriptional activator of genes involved in galactose metabolism, binds as a dimer to several closely related seventeen base pair upstream activation sequences (UASGs) that are nearly symmetric about a central dT-dA base pair. A previous study of a GAL4-UASG complex (Carey, M., Kakidani, H., Leatherwood, J., Mostashari, F. and Ptashne, M. (1989) J. Mol. Biol. 209, 423-432) elucidated a pattern of contacts consistent with the protein partially wrapping itself around the helical cylinder, assuming a B-form conformation for the DNA. Alternatively, both monomers could sit on one face of the cylinder if the DNA exists in an underwound conformation such as A-form. Spectroscopic studies that distinguish between these models are reported here. Oligonucleotides containing the consensus UASG or a nine base pair "half site" both exhibit circular dichroism (CD) spectra characteristic of B-form DNA. Two-dimensional NMR studies of the half-site also indicate a B-form conformation. When a GAL4 protein fragment containing the entire DNA-binding and dimerization domains (amino acids 1-140) is bound to the UASG, the CD spectrum above 240 nm changes only slightly, and not in a manner consistent with DNA unwinding. Our studies suggest that the UASG does not adopt an unusual underwound conformation in the absence or presence of the GAL4 protein, and favor the model in which the dimer partially wraps around the helix cylinder.

The finger domain of simian virus 40 large T antigen controls DNA-binding specificity

The specificity and regulation of protein-DNA interactions play a crucial role in all aspects of communication between genotype and phenotype in a cell. The large T antigen of simian virus 40 binds to identical, yet quite differently arranged, pentanucleotide motifs in the simian virus 40 control region, sites I and II. Wild-type T antigen preferentially binds site I. We demonstrate that a bacterial peptide encoding residues 1 to 259 (T260) includes the essential amino acids required for binding to both DNA sites but predominantly binds site II. However, a longer peptide (residues 1 to 369; T370) binds almost exclusively to site I. Thus, the addition of amino acids 260 to 369 to the T260 peptide results in the loss of site II binding. This region includes a single putative metal-binding region, and mutation of T370 at either conserved cysteine of the finger results in equal but inefficient binding to both sites. While no metal binding has been shown to be directly associated with this sequence, these results suggest a novel, perhaps structural, function for such a finger motif, since this domain of T antigen appears to play a crucial role in modulating the DNA-binding behavior of T-antigen peptides.

Drosophila RNA polymerase II elongation factor DmS-II has homology to mouse S-II and sequence similarity to yeast PPR2

DmSII is a Drosophila RNA polymerase II elongation factor which suppresses pausing by RNA polymerase II at specific sites on double stranded templates. Using antibodies produced against the purified protein, a Drosophila cDNA expression library was screened and a cDNA was isolated which encoded a portion of DmSII. When this cDNA was used to probe Kc cell mRNA the predominant species was found to be 1.4 kb in length. The original cDNA was used to screen a Drosophila Kc cell cDNA library resulting in the isolation of a 1.4 kb cDNA which was then sequenced. The deduced protein sequence for DmSII exhibited high similarity to mouse SII protein sequence. In addition, significant sequence similarity was found with the protein encoded by the yeast gene PPR2, which is involved in regulation of URA4 gene expression. The comparison of amino acid sequences suggests that DmSII is comprised of two domains homologous to mouse SII separated by a flexible, serine rich region of low homology. The shorter yeast protein has sequence similarity only to the carboxy terminal domain.

The C6 zinc finger and adjacent amino acids determine DNA-binding specificity and affinity in the yeast activator proteins LAC9 and PPR1

LAC9 is a DNA-binding protein that regulates transcription of the lactose-galactose regulon in Kluyveromyces lactis. The DNA-binding domain is composed of a zinc finger and nearby amino acids (M. M. Witte and R. C. Dickson, Mol. Cell. Biol. 8:3726-3733, 1988). The single zinc finger appears to be structurally related to the zinc finger of many other fungal transcription activator proteins that contain positively charged residues and six conserved cysteines with the general form Cys-Xaa2-Cys-Xaa6-Cys-Xaa6-9-Cys-Xaa2-Cys-Xaa 6-Cys, where Xaan indicates a stretch of the indicated number of any amino acids (R. M. Evans and S. M. Hollenberg, Cell 52:1-3, 1988). The function(s) of the zinc finger and other amino acids in DNA-binding remains unclear. To determine which portion of the LAC9 DNA-binding domain mediates sequence recognition, we replaced the C6 zinc finger, amino acids adjacent to the carboxyl side of the zinc finger, or both with the analogous region from the Saccharomyces cerevisiae PPR1 or LEU3 protein. A chimeric LAC9 protein, LAC9(PPR1 34-61), carrying only the PPR1 zinc finger, retained the DNA-binding specificity of LAC9. However, LAC9(PPR1 34-75), carrying the PPR1 zinc finger and 14 amino acids on the carboxyl side of the zinc finger, gained the DNA-binding specificity of PPR1, indicating that these 14 amino acids are necessary for specific DNA binding. Our data show that C6 fingers can substitute for each other and allow DNA binding, but binding affinity is reduced. Thus, in a qualitative sense C6 fingers perform a similar function(s). However, the high-affinity binding required by natural C6 finger proteins demands a unique C6 finger with a specific amino acid sequence. This requirement may reflect conformational constraints, including interactions between the C6 finger and the carboxyl-adjacent amino acids; alternatively or in addition, it may indicate that unique, nonconserved amino acid residues in zinc fingers make sequence-specifying or stabilizing contacts with DNA.

The C6 zinc finger and adjacent amino acids determine DNA-binding specificity and affinity in the yeast activator proteins LAC9 and PPR1

LAC9 is a DNA-binding protein that regulates transcription of the lactose-galactose regulon in Kluyveromyces lactis. The DNA-binding domain is composed of a zinc finger and nearby amino acids (M. M. Witte and R. C. Dickson, Mol. Cell. Biol. 8:3726-3733, 1988). The single zinc finger appears to be structurally related to the zinc finger of many other fungal transcription activator proteins that contain positively charged residues and six conserved cysteines with the general form Cys-Xaa2-Cys-Xaa6-Cys-Xaa6-9-Cys-Xaa2-Cys-Xaa 6-Cys, where Xaan indicates a stretch of the indicated number of any amino acids (R. M. Evans and S. M. Hollenberg, Cell 52:1-3, 1988). The function(s) of the zinc finger and other amino acids in DNA-binding remains unclear. To determine which portion of the LAC9 DNA-binding domain mediates sequence recognition, we replaced the C6 zinc finger, amino acids adjacent to the carboxyl side of the zinc finger, or both with the analogous region from the Saccharomyces cerevisiae PPR1 or LEU3 protein. A chimeric LAC9 protein, LAC9(PPR1 34-61), carrying only the PPR1 zinc finger, retained the DNA-binding specificity of LAC9. However, LAC9(PPR1 34-75), carrying the PPR1 zinc finger and 14 amino acids on the carboxyl side of the zinc finger, gained the DNA-binding specificity of PPR1, indicating that these 14 amino acids are necessary for specific DNA binding. Our data show that C6 fingers can substitute for each other and allow DNA binding, but binding affinity is reduced. Thus, in a qualitative sense C6 fingers perform a similar function(s). However, the high-affinity binding required by natural C6 finger proteins demands a unique C6 finger with a specific amino acid sequence. This requirement may reflect conformational constraints, including interactions between the C6 finger and the carboxyl-adjacent amino acids; alternatively or in addition, it may indicate that unique, nonconserved amino acid residues in zinc fingers make sequence-specifying or stabilizing contacts with DNA.

An internal deletion within an 11p13 zinc finger gene contributes to the development of Wilms' tumor

We have recently described the isolation of a candidate for the Wilms' tumor susceptibility gene mapping to band p13 of human chromosome 11. This gene, primarily expressed in fetal kidney, appears to encode a DNA binding protein. We now describe a sporadic, unilateral Wilms' tumor in which one allele of this gene contains a 25 bp deletion spanning an exon-intron junction and leading to aberrant mRNA splicing and loss of one of the four zinc finger consensus domains in the protein. The mutation is absent in the affected individual's germline, consistent with the somatic inactivation of a tumor suppressor gene. In addition to this intragenic deletion affecting one allele, loss of heterozygosity at loci along the entire chromosome 11 points to an earlier chromosomal nondisjunction and reduplication. We conclude that inactivation of this gene, which we call WT1, is part of a series of events leading to the development of Wilms' tumor.

GAL4 protein: purification, association with GAL80 protein, and conserved domain structure

Expression of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae GAL4 protein under its own (galactose-inducible) control gave 5 to 10 times the level of protein observed when the GAL4 gene was on a high-copy plasmid. Purification of GAL4 by a procedure including affinity chromatography on a GAL4-binding DNA column yielded not only GAL4 but also a second protein, shown to be GAL80 by its reaction with an antipeptide antibody. Sequence comparisons of GAL4 and other members of a family of proteins sharing homologous cysteine finger motifs identified an additional region of homology in the middle of these proteins shown by genetic analysis to be important for GAL4 function. GAL4 could be cleaved proteolytically at the boundary of the conserved region, defining internal and carboxy-terminal folded domains.

GAL4 protein: purification, association with GAL80 protein, and conserved domain structure

Expression of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae GAL4 protein under its own (galactose-inducible) control gave 5 to 10 times the level of protein observed when the GAL4 gene was on a high-copy plasmid. Purification of GAL4 by a procedure including affinity chromatography on a GAL4-binding DNA column yielded not only GAL4 but also a second protein, shown to be GAL80 by its reaction with an antipeptide antibody. Sequence comparisons of GAL4 and other members of a family of proteins sharing homologous cysteine finger motifs identified an additional region of homology in the middle of these proteins shown by genetic analysis to be important for GAL4 function. GAL4 could be cleaved proteolytically at the boundary of the conserved region, defining internal and carboxy-terminal folded domains.

A relational database of transcription factors

Recent advances in the understanding of eukaryotic gene regulation have produced an extensive body of transcriptionally-related sequence information in the biological literature, and have created a need for computing structures that organize and manage this information. The 'relational model' represents an approach that is finding increasing application in the design of biological databases. This report describes the compilation of information regarding eukaryotic transcription factors, the organization of this information into five tables, the computational applications of the resultant relational database that are of theoretical as well as experimental interest, and possible avenues of further development.