Cloning and expression of AP-2, a cell-type-specific transcription factor that activates inducible enhancer elements

Genes Dev. 1988 Dec;2(12A):1557-69. doi: 10.1101/gad.2.12a.1557.

Abstract

Human AP-2 is a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein that interacts with inducible viral and cellular enhancer elements to stimulate transcription of selected genes. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a human cDNA clone containing the entire protein-coding region of AP-2. The deduced primary amino acid sequence of AP-2 does not contain a domain resembling any previously identified DNA binding motif. However, an interesting feature of the AP-2 protein is a clustered arrangement of proline and glutamine residues that have been found recently within the activation domains of other transcription factors. Expression of the AP-2 clone in bacteria yields a protein that binds to DNA and activates transcription in vitro in a comparable manner to native human AP-2. Transfection of cDNA clones into Drosophila cells indicates that the AP-2 gene product can also activate gene expression in vivo in a DNA template-dependent manner. Expression of endogenous AP-2 is repressed in a hepatoma cell line and stimulated following retinoic-acid-induced differentiation of a human teratocarcinoma cell line. This indicates that AP-2 may be a transcription factor involved in the control of developmentally regulated gene expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • Cloning, Molecular*
  • DNA* / isolation & purification
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Enhancer Elements, Genetic*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Ribonucleases
  • Transcription Factor AP-2
  • Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Transcription Factor AP-2
  • Transcription Factors
  • DNA
  • Ribonucleases

Associated data

  • GENBANK/Y00229