title: Differential ligand-dependent protein-protein interactions between nuclear receptors and a neuronal-specific cofactor.
abstract: Nuclear receptors are transcription factors that require multiple protein-protein interactions to regulate target gene expression. We have cloned a 27-kDa protein, termed NIX1 (neuronal interacting factor X 1), that directly binds nuclear receptors in vitro and in vivo. Protein-protein interaction between NIX1 and ligand-activated or constitutive active nuclear receptors, including retinoid-related orphan receptor beta (RORbeta) (NR1F2), strictly depends on the conserved receptor C-terminal activation function 2 (AF2-D). NIX1 selectively binds retinoic acid receptor (RAR) (NR1A) and thyroid hormone receptor (TR) (NR1B) in a ligand-dependent manner, but does not interact with retinoid X receptor (RXR) (NR2B) or steroid hormone receptors. Interestingly, NIX1 down-regulates transcriptional activation by binding to ligand-bound nuclear receptors. A 39-aa domain within NIX1 was found to be necessary and sufficient for protein-protein interactions with nuclear receptors. Northern blot analysis demonstrates low-abundance RNA messages only in brain and neuronal cells. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed that NIX1 expression is restricted to the central nervous system and could be confined to neurons in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, the amygdala, thalamic, and hypothalamic regions. In summary, protein-protein interactions between the neuronal protein NIX1 and ligand-activated nuclear receptors are both specific and selective. By suppressing receptor-mediated transcription, NIX1 implements coregulation of nuclear receptor functions in brain.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Tumor Biology Center, and Universitäts-Frauenklinik, Abteilung Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe I, Universität Freiburg, Breisacherstrasse 117, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Greiner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kirfel
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Greschik
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kapfhammer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schüle
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011485:Protein Binding; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D017421:Sequence Analysis
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D008024:Ligands; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C411289:Nrip2 protein, mouse; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear