The class II trans-activator CIITA interacts with the TBP-associated factor TAFII32

Nucleic Acids Res. 1997 Jun 15;25(12):2522-8. doi: 10.1093/nar/25.12.2522.

Abstract

The class II trans- activator (CIITA) is the main transcriptional co-activator for the expression of MHC class II proteins. Its N-terminal 125 amino acids function as an independent transcriptional activation domain. Analyses of the primary amino acid sequence of the activation domain predict the presence of three alpha-helices, each with a high proportion of acidic residues. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we found that two of these predicted alpha-helices are required for full transcriptional activation by CIITA. Moreover, a CIITA protein in which both functional alpha-helices have been deleted displays a dominant negative phenotype. This activation domain of CIITA interacts with the 32 kDa subunit of the general transcription complex TFIID, TAFII32. Decreased transcriptional activation by N-terminal deletions of CIITA is correlated directly with their reduced binding to TAFII32. We conclude that interactions between TAFII32 and CIITA are responsible for activation of class II genes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Escherichia coli
  • Genes, MHC Class II*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, B-Cell / immunology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Nuclear Proteins*
  • Point Mutation
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • TATA-Binding Protein Associated Factors*
  • Trans-Activators / biosynthesis
  • Trans-Activators / chemistry
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factor TFIID*
  • Transcription Factors, TFII / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transcriptional Activation*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • MHC class II transactivator protein
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • TAF9 protein, human
  • TATA-Binding Protein Associated Factors
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factor TFIID
  • Transcription Factors, TFII