title: The chromosomal association/dissociation of the chromatin insulator protein Cp190 of Drosophila melanogaster is mediated by the BTB/POZ domain and two acidic regions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chromatin insulators or boundary elements are a class of functional elements in the eukaryotic genome. They regulate gene transcription by interfering with promoter-enhancer communication. The Cp190 protein of Drosophila melanogaster is essential to the function of at least three-types of chromatin insulator complexes organized by Su(Hw), CTCF and BEAF32.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We mapped functional regions of Cp190 in vivo and identified three domains that are essential for the insulator function and for the viability of flies: the BTB/POZ domain, an aspartic acid-rich (D-rich) region and a C-terminal glutamic acid-rich (E-rich) region. Other domains including the centrosomal targeting domain and the zinc fingers are dispensable. The N-terminal CP190BTB-D fragment containing the BTB/POZ domain and the D-rich region is sufficient to mediate association with all three types of insulator complexes. The fragment however is not sufficient for insulator activity or viability. The Cp190 and CP190BTB-D are regulated differently in cells treated with heat-shock. The Cp190 dissociated from chromosomes during heat-shock, indicating that dissociation of Cp190 with chromosomes can be regulated. In contrast, the CP190BTB-D fragment didn't dissociate from chromosomes in the same heat-shocked condition, suggesting that the deleted C-terminal regions have a role in regulating the dissociation of Cp190 with chromosomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The N-terminal fragment of Cp190 containing the BTB/POZ domain and the D-rich region mediates association of Cp190 with all three types of insulator complexes and that the E-rich region of Cp190 is required for dissociation of Cp190 from chromosomes during heat-shock. The heat-shock-induced dissociation is strong evidence indicating that dissociation of the essential insulator protein Cp190 from chromosomes is regulated. Our results provide a mechanism through which activities of an insulator can be modulated by internal and external cues.
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sheehan
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: South
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Akbari
authors.forename: Chi-Yun
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Pai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000076246:CCCTC-Binding Factor; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D059006:Chromosomes, Insect / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D038101:Insulator Elements; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C452919:BEAF-32 protein, Drosophila; D000076246:CCCTC-Binding Factor; C107964:CP190 protein, Drosophila; C524946:CTCF protein, Drosophila; D002843:Chromatin; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C083738:su(Hw) protein, Drosophila