title: DNA binding-induced conformational change of the yeast transcriptional activator PRTF.
abstract: Our studies using proteases to probe protein structure establish that binding to the upstream activating sequences (UASs) of two different yeast a-specific genes induces a conformational change in the pheromone/receptor transcription factor (PRTF), which is not observed upon binding to the UASs of either of two alpha-specific genes. We propose that this selective structural alteration exposes an activation region of PRTF when it binds a-specific genes, switching these genes on. The transcriptional activator MAT alpha 1 may activate alpha-specific genes by binding to the PRTF-alpha-specific UAS complex and unmasking the otherwise hidden activation surface of PRTF. We also show that the N-terminal third of PRTF is sufficient for specific DNA binding, while the middle third of the protein interacts with MAT alpha 1.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biophysik, Eth-Hönggerberg, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Richmond
mesh_terms: D000345:Affinity Labels; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D000072235:Mating Factor; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology*; D051964:Receptors, Mating Factor; D018000:Receptors, Peptide; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D000345:Affinity Labels; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010455:Peptides; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051964:Receptors, Mating Factor; D018000:Receptors, Peptide; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000072235:Mating Factor; D004247:DNA