The LIM protein FHL3 binds basic Krüppel-like factor/Krüppel-like factor 3 and its co-repressor C-terminal-binding protein 2

J Biol Chem. 2003 Apr 11;278(15):12786-95. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M300587200. Epub 2003 Jan 29.

Abstract

The ability of DNA-binding transcription factors to recruit specific cofactors is central to the mechanism by which they regulate gene expression. BKLF/KLF3, a member of the Krüppel-like factor family of zinc finger proteins, is a potent transcriptional repressor that recruits a CtBP co-repressor. We show here that BKLF also recruits the four and a half LIM domain protein FHL3. Different but closely linked regions of BKLF mediate contact with CtBP2 and FHL3. We present evidence that CtBP2 also interacts with FHL3 and demonstrate that the three proteins co-elute in gel filtration experiments. CtBP and FHL proteins have been implicated in both nuclear and cytoplasmic functions, but expression of BKLF promotes the nuclear accumulation of both FHL3 and CtBP2. FHL proteins have been shown to act predominantly as co-activators of transcription. However, we find FHL3 can repress transcription. We suggest that LIM proteins like FHL3 are important in assembling specific repression or activation complexes, depending on conditions such as cofactor availability and promoter context.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • COS Cells
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Glutathione Transferase / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / chemistry*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • K562 Cells
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins / chemistry
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / chemistry
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transfection
  • Zinc Fingers

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • FHL3 protein, human
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • KLF3 protein, human
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Glutathione Transferase