Yeast One-hybrid System Used to Identify the Binding Proteins for Rat Glutathione S-transferase P Enhancer I

Objective To detect the trans-factors specifically binding to the strong enhancerelement (GPEI) in the upstream of rat glutathione S-transferase P (GST-P) gene. MethodsYeast one-hybrid system was used to screen rat lung MATCHMAKER cDNA library toidentify potential trans-factors that can interact with core sequence of GPEI(cGPEI).Electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA) was used to analyze the binding of trans-factors to cGPEI. Results cDNA fragments coding for the C-terminal part of thetranscription factor c-Jun and rat adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) were isolated. Thebinding of c-Jun and ANT to GPEI core sequence were confirmed. Conclusions Rat c-juntranscriptional factor and ANT may interact with cGPEI. They could play an important rolein the induced expression of GST-P gene.

In Search of Regulators of <i>LeSPL-CNR</i>by South-Western Blotting and Yeast One-Hybrid Library Screening System

LeSPL-CNR is a crucial transcription factor for fruit ripening of Solanum lycopersicum. The cnr (colorless non-ripening) epimutation resulted from hypermethylation in a 286 bp region of LeSPL-CNR promoter inhibits normal fruit ripening. In present study, potential regulators of LeSPL-CNR, which could bind to the specific 286 bp region, were screened via south-western blotting and yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) library screening system. Results indicated that a total of 13 and 19 candidate proteins were acquired respectively, and both ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and 40S ribosomal protein were identified by two methods. These would provide some information for revealing roles of DNA methylation and the regulatory mechanism for LeSPL-CNR.

INHIBITORY ROLE OF TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR COUP-TFII IN EXPRESSION OF HTERT IN HELA CELLS

To clone and identify the proteins involved in regulating the transcription of hTERT and study the role of genes in both hTERT transcription and telomerase activity. Methods The full cDNA of COUP-TFII was cloned from HeLa cDNA library by hTERT promoter-based yeast one-hybrid assay and then in-frame inserted into His-tag fusion expression vector pEK318. The His-tag COUP-TFII fusion proteins were purified by Ni-NTA chromatography. The interaction of COUP-TFII with hTERT promoter in vitro was identified by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and Footprint. The role of COUP-TFII in both hTERT transcription and telomerase activity were probed through Luciferase reporter assay, Northern blot, and TRAP-PCR ELISA. Results COUP-TFII could firmly bind to the downstream E-box and the other two binding sites in hTERT promoter. Luciferase reporter assay indicated COUP-TFII could suppress hTERT promoter activity and stable introduction of COUP-TFII into HeLa cells also decreased both endogenous hTERT transcription and telomerase activity. Conclusion The human COUP-TFII can firmly bind to hTERT promoter, and inhibit telomerase activity through decreasing hTERT transcription. It will greatly facilitate understanding of telomerase regulation in normal and cancer cells

Isolation of transcription factors binding auxin response elements using a yeast one-hybrid system

Plant hormones play an important role during higher plant embryogenesis. Auxin is central to the development of vascular tissues, formation of lateral and adventitious roots, control of apical dominance, and tropic responses. Auxin response element (AuxRE), present in the promoters of many auxin-induced genes, can confer auxin responsiveness. Using carrot somatic embryo under specific developmental phase, a cDNA expression library was constructed. Several plasmids were recombined containing the tetramer of AuxRE as a bait. After screening by a yeast one-hy- brid system, one positive clone was confirmed and characterized. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that AxRF1 protein expressed in yeast cell could bind AuxRE in vitro. It suggests that AxRF1 participates in regulation of the expression of auxin responsive gene during carrot somatic embryogenesis.

<i>Arabidopsis</i>Transcription Factor WRKY33 Is Involved in Drought by Directly Regulating the Expression of <i>CesA8</i>

Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) WRKY33 is a key transcription factor in pathogen-induced defense signaling, but its function in abiotic stresses remains largely unclear. In this study, we report on the use of a reverse-genetic approach, as well as a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) expression system, to determine the role of WRKY33 in drought. A T-DNA insertion deletion mutant of WRKY33 is more sensitive to dehydration. Through genome-wide screening the target genes of WRKY33 in yeast, we identified 23 candidate genes including a drought tolerance gene CesA8. Further results revealed that WRKY33 repressed CesA8 expression through binding to the W-box elements of CesA8 distal promoter region and probably interacting with the transcriptional activator of CesA8, MYB46. These findings revealed the primary molecular mechanism underlying the function of WRKY33 in response to

Identification and Characterization of Human Genomic Binding Sites for Retinoic Acid Receptor/Retinoid X Receptor Heterodimers

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) triggers a wide range of effects on vertebrate development by regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. ATRA activates retinoic acid receptors (RARs) which heterodimerize with retinoid X receptors (RXRs). RAR/RXR heterodimers function as ATRA-dependent transcriptional regulators by binding to retinoic acid response elements (RAREs). To identify RAR/RXR heterodimer-binding sites in the human genome, we performed a modified yeast one-hybrid assays and identified 193 RAR/RXR heterodimer-binding fragments in the human genome. The putative target genes included genes involved in development process and cell differentiation. Gel mobility shift assays indicated that 160 putative RAREs could directly interact with the RAR/RXR heterodimer. Moreover, 19 functional regulatory single nucleotide polymorphisms (rSNPs) on the RAR/RXR-binding sequences were identified by analyzing the difference in the DNA-binding affinities. These results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological and pathological actions of RAR/RXR heterodimers.

Functional Characterization of the Promoter and Second Intron of CUM1 During Flower Development in Cucumber(Cucumis sativus L.)

The characterization of flower specific promoter is critical during flower development by cucumber transformation technology.AGAMOUS(AG)is an organ identity gene that is required for carpel and stamen development in Arabidopsis.The promoter and second intron of AG contain multiple regulatory elements that confer proper spatial and temporal expression.Cucumber is an important vegetable with unisexual flowers.Cucumber MADS-box 1(CUM1)is the AG homolog in cucumber,belonging to the eu AG lineage along with AG.In situ hybridization showed that CUM1 was specifically expressed in the stamens and carpels of cucumber.GUS staining indicated that the second intron of CUM1 confers stamen-specific expression,while the promoter of CUM1 drives both stamen-and carpel-specific expression during the early stages of flower development,but is restricted to carpel-and connectivum-specific expression during the late stages of flower development.Furthermore,a yeast one-hybrid assay demonstrated that two auxin response factors(Cs ARF13 and Cs ARF17)had bound directly to the second intron of CUM1.Our data suggest that different regulatory circuits operate in AG homologs in plant species with distinct sex types.

ThERF1 regulates its target genes via binding to a novel cis-acting element in response to salt stress

Ethylene responsive factors (ERFs) are plant-specific transcription factors that are involved in a variety of biological processes. We previously demonstrated that an ERF gene from Tamarix hispida, ThERF1, encodes a protein binding to GCC-box and DRE motifs and negatively modulates abiotic stress tolerance. In the present study, microarray analysis was performed to study the genes regulated by ThERF1 on a genomic scale. There were 154 and 307 genes (respectively representing 134 and 260 unique genes) significantly up- and downregulated by ThERF1 under salt stress conditions, respectively. A novel motif, named TTG, was identified to be recognized by ThERF1, which commonly presents in the promoters of ThERF1-targeted genes. The TTG motif is also bound by other ERFs of a different subfamily from T. hispida and Arabidopsis, indicating that it is commonly recognized by ERF proteins. The binding affinities of ERFs to the TTG motif are significantly induced by salt stress. The TTG motif is more enriched than the GCC-box and DRE motifs in the promoters of ThERF1-targeted genes. Taken together, these studies suggested that the TTG motif plays an important role in the gene expression regulated by ERFs in response to salt stress.

Maize Gene Regulatory Network for Phenolic Metabolism

The translation of the genotype into phenotype, represented for example by the expression of genes encod- ing enzymes required for the biosynthesis of phytochemicals that are important for interaction of plants with the environment, is largely carried out by transcription factors （TFs） that recognize specific cis-regulatory elements in the genes that they control. TFs and their target genes are organized in gene regulatory net- works （GRNs）, and thus uncovering GRN architecture presents an important biological challenge necessary to explain gene regulation. Linking TFs to the genes they control, central to understanding GRNs, can be car- ried out using gene- or TF-centered approaches. In this study, we employed a gene-centered approach uti- lizing the yeast one-hybrid assay to generate a network of protein-DNA interactions that participate in the transcriptional control of genes involved in the biosynthesis of maize phenolic compounds including gen- eral phenylpropanoids, lignins, and flavonoids. We identified 1100 protein-DNA interactions involving 54 phenolic gene promoters and 568 TFs. A set of 11 TFs recognized 10 or more promoters, suggesting a role in coordinating pathway gene expression. The integration of the gene-centered network with informa- tion derived from TF-centered approaches provides a foundation for a phenolics GRN characterized by in- terlaced feed-forward loops that link developmental regulators with biosynthetic genes.

Osdof28: A New Member of the DOF Transcription Factor Family from Rice

DOF is a novel family of plant-specific proteins that share a unique and highly conserved DNA binding domain with one CX2CX21CX2C zinc finger motif. In this study, the Osdof28 gene, which codes a characteristic amino acid sequence of the DOF transcription factor family, was screened from rice （Oryza sativa japonica） using a yeast one-hybrid assay. Great amounts of the Osdof28 transcripts were found to accumulate in stems and leaves, with less in the roots, and no detectable transcription found in the germs. Osdof28 can be induced by salicylic acid and INA, which suggests that it may be related to the plant systemic acquired resistance （SAR）. The relationship was confirmed through biological induction of SAR using Xanthomonascampestrispv. oryzae, with more expression of Osdof28 observed in the systemic tissues after infection.