Profilin regulates the activity of p42POP, a novel Myb-related transcription factor

J Cell Sci. 2005 Jan 15;118(Pt 2):331-41. doi: 10.1242/jcs.01618. Epub 2004 Dec 22.

Abstract

Profilins, regulators of cytoplasmic actin dynamics, also bind to several nuclear proteins but the significance of these interactions is mostly unclear. Here, we describe a novel Myb-related transcription factor, p42POP, as a new ligand for profilin and show that profilin regulates its activity. p42POP comprises a unique combination of domains and is widely expressed in mouse tissues. In contrast to many other Myb proteins, it contains only one functional tryptophan-cluster motif. This is followed by an acidic domain, a leucine zipper that mediates dimerization and functional nuclear import and export signals that can direct p42POP to either the nuclear or the cytoplasmic compartment. Binding to profilins is mediated by a proline-rich cluster. p42POP-profilin complexes can be precipitated from cell lysates. In transfected cells displaying p42POP in the nucleus, nuclear profilin is markedly increased. When p42POP is anchored at mitochondrial membranes, profilin is targeted to this location. Hence, in a cellular environment, p42POP and profilin are found in the same protein complex. In luciferase assays, p42POP acts as repressor and this activity is substantially reduced by profilins, indicating that profilin can regulate p42POP activity and is therefore involved in gene regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Contractile Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Dimerization
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Mice
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Profilins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb / isolation & purification
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb / metabolism*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / isolation & purification
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Contractile Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Ligands
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Mypop protein, mouse
  • PFN1 protein, human
  • Pfn1 protein, mouse
  • Profilins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb
  • Transcription Factors

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF364868