title: Transcriptional activation by the SV40 AP-1 recognition element in yeast is mediated by a factor similar to AP-1 that is distinct from GCN4.
abstract: The consensus recognition element for the mammalian transcription factor AP-1 is very similar to that of the transcriptional activator GCN4. Here, we show that the AP-1 recognition element (ARE) found in the SV40 enhancer can activate transcription from a heterologous promoter in S. cerevisiae. This activation, however, is not dependent on the presence of GCN4 as evidenced by ARE-dependent transcription in a gcn4 yeast strain. A previously unknown yeast transcription factor that is probably responsible for this activation was identified and highly purified. The yeast factor, designated yAP-1, shares remarkably similar biochemical and DNA-binding characteristics with mammalian AP-1. These data suggest that the yeast and mammalian AP-1 are evolutionarily conserved and perhaps functionally related. Also note-worthy is that GCN4 can bind to a GCN4 recognition element (GCRE) and to the ARE with approximately equal affinities; yAP-1, however, has a much lower affinity for the GCRE than the ARE, suggesting that yAP-1 can discriminate between these elements in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemistry, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125.
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Harshman
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Moye-Rowley
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001483:Base Sequence; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006367:HeLa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010957:Plasmids; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011494:Protein Kinases; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D013539:Simian virus 40 / Q000235:genetics*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D011494:Protein Kinases