title: MRG15 activates the B-myb promoter through formation of a nuclear complex with the retinoblastoma protein and the novel protein PAM14.
abstract: The MORF4-Related Gene on chromosome 15 (MRG15) is a member of a novel family of genes originally identified in studies to reveal cell senescence-inducing factors. MRG15 contains several predicted protein motifs, including a nuclear localization signal, a helix-loop-helix region, a leucine zipper, and a chromodomain. These motifs are commonly associated with transcription factors, suggesting that MRG15 may likewise function as a transcriptional regulator. To examine the potential function(s) of MRG15, we sought to identify cellular factors associated with this MRG family member. In this regard, we have found that both the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor (Rb) and a novel nuclear protein PAM14 (Protein Associated with MRG, 14 kDa) specifically associate with MRG15. We have further demonstrated that these interactions require the helix-loop-helix and leucine zipper domains of MRG15. Interestingly we have found all three proteins present in a multiprotein complex, suggesting that at least some of their functions may be interdependent. Although the functions of PAM14 have yet to be elucidated, Rb has several well characterized activities, including repression of E2F-activated promoters such as that of B-myb. Significantly we have demonstrated that MRG15 blocks the Rb-induced repression of this promoter, leading to B-myb promoter activation. Collectively these results suggest that MRG15 regulates transcription through interactions with a cellular protein complex containing Rb and PAM14.
authors.affiliation: Roy M. and Phyllis Gough Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030-3498, USA. jl691785@bcm.tmc.edu
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Berube
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venable
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Timchenko
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Pereira-Smith
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002460:Cell Line; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008156:Luciferases / Q000378:metabolism; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; C109882:MORF4 protein, human; C439067:MRFAP1 protein, human; C064352:MYBL2 protein, human; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D008156:Luciferases; D005982:Glutathione Transferase