title: Binding sites for maize nuclear proteins in the subterminal regions of the transposable element Activator.
abstract: Genetic data suggest that transposition of the maize element Activator (Ac) is modulated by host factors. Using gel retardation and DNase I protection assays we identified maize proteins which bind to seven subterminal sites in both ends of Ac. Four DNase I-protected sites contain a GGTAAA sequence, the other three include either GATAAA or GTTAAA. The specificity of the maize protein binding to Ac was verified by using a synthetic fragment containing four GGTAAA motifs as probe and competitor in gel retardation assays. All seven binding sites are located within regions required in cis for transposition. A maize protein binding site with the same sequence has previously been identified in the terminal inverted repeats of the maize Mutator element. Thus, the protein, that recognizes this sequence is a good candidate for a regulatory host factor for Ac transposition.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Genetik, Universität zu Köln, Germany.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kunze
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D018983:DNA Footprinting; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics*; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I