Abstract
We describe a novel mammalian DNA binding activity that requires at least two symmetrically methylated CpG dinucleotides in its recognition sequence, preferably within the sequence 5'CGCG. A key component of the activity is Kaiso, a protein with POZ and zinc-finger domains that is known to associate with p120 catenin. We find that Kaiso behaves as a methylation-dependent transcriptional repressor in transient transfection assays. Kaiso is a constituent of one of two methyl-CpG binding complexes originally designated as MeCP1. The data suggest that zinc-finger motifs are responsible for DNA binding, and may therefore target repression to specific methylated regions of the genome. As Kaiso associates with p120 catenin, Kaiso may link events at the cell surface with DNA methylation-dependent gene silencing.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Catenins
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Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
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Cell Extracts
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Cell Line
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Cell Nucleus / metabolism
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CpG Islands
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DNA Methylation
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Delta Catenin
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Histone Deacetylases*
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Humans
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Mice
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Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
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Rabbits
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Repressor Proteins / genetics
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Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
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Signal Transduction
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Transcription Factors / genetics
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Transcription Factors / metabolism*
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Transcription, Genetic
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Zinc Fingers
Substances
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Catenins
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Cell Adhesion Molecules
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Cell Extracts
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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MeCP1 histone deacetylase complex, human
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MeCP1 histone deacetylase complex, mouse
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Phosphoproteins
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Repressor Proteins
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Transcription Factors
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ZBTB33 protein, human
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Zbtb33 protein, mouse
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Histone Deacetylases
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Delta Catenin