Stat1 depends on transcriptional synergy with Sp1.
STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) proteins combine with cytokine receptors and receptor-associated kinases in distinct protein/protein interactions that are critical for STAT-dependent signal transduction events, but the nature of any subsequent STAT interactions with DNA-binding proteins in the nucleus is less certain. Based on assays of DNA/protein binding and activity of transfected reporter plasmids, we determined that occupation of contiguous DNA-binding sites for Stat1 (the first member of the STAT family) and the transcriptional activator Sp1 are both required for full activation of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 gene by interferon-gamma. Thus, Stat1 binding to DNA cannot by itself be equated with biologic actions of Stat1. In co-immunoprecipitation experiments, we also obtained evidence of direct and selective Stat1/Sp1 interaction (in primary culture cells without overexpression), further indicating that Stat1/Sp1 synergy confers an element of specificity in the pathway leading to cytokine-activated transcription and cytokine-dependent immunity and inflammation.
Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
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Look
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Pelletier
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Roswit
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Holtzman
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D002460:Cell Line; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D008156:Luciferases / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D050794:STAT1 Transcription Factor; D015398:Signal Transduction; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014162:Transfection
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D050794:STAT1 Transcription Factor; C494079:STAT1 protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D008156:Luciferases; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase