Selective regulation of gene expression by nuclear factor 110, a member of the NF90 family of double-stranded RNA-binding proteins

J Mol Biol. 2003 Sep 5;332(1):85-98. doi: 10.1016/s0022-2836(03)00885-4.

Abstract

Members of the nuclear factor 90 (NF90) family of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding proteins have been implicated in several biological processes including the regulation of gene expression. cDNA sequences predict that the proteins have a functional nuclear localization signal and two dsRNA-binding motifs (dsRBMs), and are identical at their N termini. Isoforms are predicted to diverge at their C termini as well as by the insertion of four amino acid residues (NVKQ) between the two dsRBMs. In this study, we verified the expression of four of the isoforms by cDNA cloning and mass spectrometric analysis of proteins isolated from human cells. Cell fractionation studies showed that NF90 and its heteromeric partner, NF45, are predominantly nuclear and largely chromatin-associated. The C-terminally extended NF90 species, NF110, are almost exclusively chromatin-bound. Both NF110 isoforms are more active than NF90 isoforms in stimulating transcription from the proliferating cell nuclear antigen reporter in a transient expression system. NF110b, which carries the NVKQ insert, was identified as the strongest activator. It stimulated transcription of some, but not all, promoters in a fashion that suggested that it functions in concert with other transcription factors. Finally, we demonstrate that NF110b associates with the dsRBM-containing transcriptional co-activator, RNA helicase A, independently of RNA binding.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Autoantigens / metabolism
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Nuclear Factor 45 Protein
  • Nuclear Factor 90 Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Isoforms / chemistry
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • RNA / metabolism*
  • RNA Helicases / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcriptional Activation

Substances

  • Autoantigens
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • ILF2 protein, human
  • ILF3 protein, human
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Nuclear Factor 45 Protein
  • Nuclear Factor 90 Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • RNA
  • DHX9 protein, human
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases
  • RNA Helicases