Physical and functional interactions between Zic and Gli proteins

J Biol Chem. 2001 Mar 9;276(10):6889-92. doi: 10.1074/jbc.C000773200. Epub 2001 Jan 12.

Abstract

Zic and Gli family proteins are transcription factors that share similar zinc finger domains. Recent studies indicate that Zic and Gli collaborate in neural and skeletal development. We provide evidence that the Zic and Gli proteins physically and functionally interact through their zinc finger domains. Moreover, Gli proteins were translocated to cell nuclei by coexpressed Zic proteins, and both proteins regulated each other's transcriptional activity. Our result suggests that the physical interaction between Zic and Gli is the molecular basis of their antagonistic or synergistic features in developmental contexts and that Zic proteins are potential modulators of the hedgehog-mediated signaling pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Glutathione Transferase / metabolism
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Humans
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins / chemistry
  • Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Plasmids / metabolism
  • Precipitin Tests
  • Protein Binding
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Trans-Activators*
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transfection
  • Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
  • Zinc Fingers

Substances

  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • ZIC1 protein, human
  • ZIC2 protein, human
  • Zic1 protein, mouse
  • Zic2 protein, mouse
  • Zic3 protein, mouse
  • Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
  • Luciferases
  • Glutathione Transferase