The DNA-binding domain of the yeast Spt10p activator includes a zinc finger that is homologous to foamy virus integrase

The yeast SPT10 gene encodes a putative histone acetyltransferase that binds specifically to pairs of upstream activating sequence (UAS) elements found only in the histone gene promoters. Here, we demonstrate that the DNA-binding domain of Spt10p is located between residues 283 and 396 and includes a His(2)-Cys(2) zinc finger. The binding of Spt10p to the histone UAS is zinc-dependent and is disabled by a zinc finger mutation (C388S). The isolated DNA-binding domain binds to single histone UAS elements with high affinity. In contrast, full-length Spt10p binds with high affinity only to pairs of UAS elements with very strong positive cooperativity and is unable to bind to a single UAS element. This implies the presence of a "blocking" domain in full-length Spt10p, which forces it to search for a pair of UAS elements. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that, unlike wild-type Spt10p, the C388S protein does not bind to the promoter of the gene encoding histone H2A (HTA1) in vivo. The C388S mutant has a phenotype similar to that of the spt10Delta mutant: poor growth and global aberrations in gene expression. Thus, the C388S mutation disables the DNA-binding function of Spt10p in vitro and in vivo. The zinc finger of Spt10p is homologous to that of foamy virus integrase, perhaps suggesting that this integrase is also a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein.     

Identification of a wound-induced inhibitor of a nuclear factor that binds the carrot extensin gene

Following wounding of carrot (Daucus carota L.) roots, the activity of a nuclear factor (EGBF-1) that binds a 5′-region of the carrot extensin gene declines to undetectable levels within 48 h. Mixing of nuclear extracts from wounded roots with nuclear extracts from unwounded roots has demonstrated the existence of a wound-induced inhibitor of EGBF-1. Inhibition of EGBF-1 DNA-binding activity by nuclear extracts from wounded roots is shown to be specific for EGBF-1, and to be destroyed by heat treatment. In addition, inhibition is saturable and occurs rapidly. Active EGBF-1 can be reconstituted from its inhibited state by renaturation of proteins from mixed extracts following denaturation by boiling in sodium dodecyl sulfate and 2-mercaptoethanol, and electrophoretic separation, indicating that inhibition is dependent upon the reversible interaction of EGBF-1 with a titratable factor. However, EGBF-1 activity could not be detected in nuclear extracts from wounded roots following denaturation and electrophoretic separation. Inhibitory activity was not detectable in nuclear extracts from roots that had been trated with ethylene. The action of the inhibitor indicates one possible mechanism for the control of EGBF-1 activity in carrot roots following wounding.