title: The nuclear localization domain of the MEF2 family of transcription factors shows member-specific features and mediates the nuclear import of histone deacetylase 4.
abstract: Targeting of myocyte enhancer binding factor 2 (MEF2) proteins to the nucleus depends on a C-terminal bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS). By expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP)/MEF2 fusion proteins in transfected myoblasts, we show that MEF2C contains an additional 13 amino acids domain, located immediately upstream of the NLS, which contributes to its nuclear retention. We also show that the NLS present in MEF2 proteins is required for efficient nuclear localization of histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4). In muscle cells, transfected HDAC4 is largely cytoplasmic or, to a lesser extent, pancellular. Co-transfection of either MEF2A or MEF2C causes HDAC4 to accumulate in the nucleus in association with MEF2. This effect strongly depends on MEF2 NLS; it also requires the specific interaction of HDAC4 with MEF2, since the isolated NLS is not sufficient for targeting HDAC4 to the nucleus and other nuclear proteins, such as NF-Y, cannot substitute MEF2. Therefore, we demonstrate that HDAC4, different from HDAC5, is mainly a cytoplasmic resident protein, requiring a trans-acting NLS for nuclear localization. The physiological implications of MEF2 carrying its own inhibitor to the nucleus are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Sezione di Chimica Biologica, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41100 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Borghi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Molinari
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Razzini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Parise
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Battini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrari
mesh_terms: D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins; D064326:MEF2 Transcription Factors; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D018006:Myogenic Regulatory Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D019913:Nuclear Localization Signals / Q000235:genetics; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000235:genetics; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins; D064326:MEF2 Transcription Factors; C578035:MEF2A protein, human; C578040:MEF2C protein, human; C578036:Mef2a protein, mouse; C578041:Mef2c protein, mouse; D018006:Myogenic Regulatory Factors; D019913:Nuclear Localization Signals; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C400300:HDAC4 protein, human; D006655:Histone Deacetylases