A novel modulator domain of Ets transcription factors.

  1. C Wasylyk,
  2. J P Kerckaert, and
  3. B Wasylyk
  1. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire des Eucaryotes/Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Faculté de Médecine, Strasbourg, France.

Abstract

The ets gene family is composed of several oncogenes and codes for transcription factors. The Ets proteins have a similar sequence called the ets domain and bind to the core motif A/CGGAA. We show here that several members of the ets family have different trans-activating properties. The ets domain of Ets-1 is required for DNA binding. Adjacent to this domain there is a novel element that inhibits DNA binding. It appears to alter the structure of the DNA-binding domain before it interacts with DNA. There is a similar sequence in Ets-2 that also inhibits DNA binding. This sequence is absent in alternative splice products of h-Ets-1. PU1, the most distantly related member of the ets gene family, lacks this novel element. It has a distinct DNA-binding specificity that is determined by DNA sequences outside the core motif. These results have important implications for both the oncogenic and normal functions of ets family members.

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