title: A novel heterodimerization domain, CRM1, and 14-3-3 control subcellular localization of the MondoA-Mlx heterocomplex.
abstract: Among members of the bHLHZip family of transcriptional regulators, MondoA and Mlx have the unique property of cytoplasmic localization. We have proposed that MondoA-Mlx heterodimers accumulate in the nucleus in response to extracellular cues. Our previous work implicated heterodimerization between MondoA and Mlx and a conserved domain in the N terminus of MondoA as important determinants of MondoA-Mlx subcellular localization. MondoA and Mlx share sequence similarity in their bHLHZip domains and C termini. Here we show that for both MondoA and Mlx, this C-terminal domain has cytoplasmic localization activity that is required by the protein monomers to accumulate in the cytoplasm. This C-terminal domain is also a novel dimerization interface that functions independently of the leucine zipper to mediate heterotypic interactions between MondoA and Mlx. Dimerization between MondoA and Mlx inactivates the cytoplasmic localization activity of their C termini and is necessary for the heterocomplex to accumulate in the nucleus. MondoA-Mlx heterodimers, while poised for nuclear entry, are retained in the cytoplasm by conserved domains in the N terminus of MondoA. Mondo conserved regions (MCRs) II and III contribute to cytoplasmic localization of MondoA-Mlx by functioning as a CRM1-dependent nuclear export signal and as a novel binding site for 14-3-3 family members, respectively. We propose that the nuclear accumulation of MondoA and Mlx is a two-step process. First, heterodimerization abolishes the cytoplasmic localization activity of their C termini. Second, an extracellular signal(s) must overcome the cytoplasmic localization function imparted by CRM1 and 14-3-3 binding to the N terminus of MondoA.
authors.affiliation: Huntsman Cancer Institute, Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-5550, USA.
authors.forename: Alanna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Eilers
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sundwall
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: April A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Donald E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Ayer
mesh_terms: D048948:14-3-3 Proteins; D016475:3T3 Cells; D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D051778:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019281:Dimerization; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D018257:Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs; D006801:Humans; D016350:Leucine Zippers; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D019913:Nuclear Localization Signals; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D048948:14-3-3 Proteins; D051778:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C403128:MLX protein, human; C485496:MLXIP protein, human; C116385:MLXIPL protein, human; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; C506001:Mlxipl protein, mouse; D019913:Nuclear Localization Signals; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C501970:Tcfl4 protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase