Gene repression by coactivator repulsion

Mol Cell. 2000 Oct;6(4):931-7. doi: 10.1016/s1097-2765(05)00081-x.

Abstract

We show that the IRF-2 oncoprotein represses virus-induced IFN-beta gene transcription via a novel mechanism. Virus infection induces recruitment of IRF-2 to some of the endogenous IFN-beta enhancers as part of the enhanceosome. Enhanceosomes bearing IRF-2 cannot activate transcription, due to the presence of a domain in IRF-2 that prevents enhanceosome-dependent recruitment of the CBP-Pol II holoenzyme complex. As a consequence, IRF-2 incorporation into enhanceosomes restricts the number of IFN-beta promoters directing transcription. Remarkably, deletion of the IRF-2 gene increases IFN-beta expression by expanding the number of cells capable of inducing IFN-beta gene transcription in response to virus infection.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Chromatin / physiology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Enhancer Elements, Genetic*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-2
  • Interferon-beta / genetics*
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA, Antisense / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors*
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Transfection
  • Viruses / immunology*

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • IRF2 protein, human
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-2
  • Irf2 protein, mouse
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • RNA, Antisense
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Interferon-beta