Open AccessThe opposite and antagonistic effects of the closely related POU family transcription factors Brn-3a and Brn-3b on the activity of a target promoter are dependent on differences in the POU domain.
Author(s) -
Peter J. Morris,
Thomas Theil,
Christopher J. Ring,
Karen A. Lillycrop,
Tarik Möröy,
David S. Latchman
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
molecular and cellular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.14
H-Index - 327
eISSN - 1067-8824
pISSN - 0270-7306
DOI - 10.1128/mcb.14.10.6907
Subject(s) - pou domain , biology , transactivation , transcription factor , repressor , genetics , gene , homeobox
The Brn-3a, Brn-3b, and Brn-3c POU family transcription factors are closely related to one another and are members of the group IV subfamily of POU factors. Here we show that despite this close relationship, the factors have different effects on the activity of a target promoter: Brn-3a and Brn-3c stimulate the promoter whereas Brn-3b represses it. Moreover, Brn-3b can antagonize the stimulatory effect of Brn-3a on promoter activity and can also inhibit promoter activation by the Oct-2.1 POU factor. The difference in the transactivation activities of Brn-3a and Brn-3b is dependent upon the C-terminal region containing the POU domain of the two proteins, since exchange of this domain between the two factors converts Brn-3a into a repressor and Brn-3b into an activator.