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Differential and opposed transcriptional effects of protein fusions containing the VP16 activation domain
Author(s) -
Matis Christelle,
Chomez Patrick,
Picard Jacques,
Rezsohazy René
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(01)02532-7
Subject(s) - enhancer , transcription (linguistics) , fusion protein , activator (genetics) , transcription factor , microbiology and biotechnology , promoter , biology , rous sarcoma virus , mutant , dna binding domain , gene , chemistry , gene expression , biochemistry , recombinant dna , linguistics , philosophy
Overexpression of strong transcriptional activators like herpes simplex virion protein 16 (VP16) may lead to non‐specific inhibition of gene expression as a result of the titration of transcription factors. Here we report that a fusion between the homeoprotein Hoxa2 and the VP16 activation domain inhibits transcription from the strong promoter/enhancers of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). A similar fusion involving a Hoxa2 mutant protein that is defective in DNA binding has no effect on the CMV promoter but increases, rather than inhibits, the RSV promoter activity. This suggests that depending on its ability to bind DNA, the VP16 activator can interact with different sets of cofactors, giving rise to distinct transcriptional effects.