Redox state of tumor suppressor p53 regulates its sequence-specific DNA binding in DNA-damaged cells by cysteine 277

Nucleic Acids Res. 2002 Jun 1;30(11):2340-8. doi: 10.1093/nar/30.11.2340.

Abstract

Using a bio-oligo pull-down DNA-binding assay we investigated the binding capacity of endogenous, DNA damage-induced p53 in human diploid fibroblasts to several p53-responsive elements (REs) present in p53-regulated genes. During the course of p53 accumulation, we observed a decrease in p53 binding to the GADD45 but not to the p21(WAF1/CIP1) RE. Using mutated GADD45 sequences we show that this change is dependent on the presence of cytosines at position 3 in RE pentamers and on the p53 redox state. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments demonstrated that Cys277 (a residue directly contacting base 3 in a RE pentamer) is critical for differential regulation of GADD45 in DNA-damaged cells. These data represent a novel mechanism for differential affinity of p53 to distinct REs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Cyclins / genetics
  • Cysteine / chemistry
  • Cysteine / metabolism*
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • DNA Damage*
  • Fibroblasts
  • GADD45 Proteins
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Kinetics
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Protein Binding / radiation effects
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Radiation, Ionizing
  • Response Elements / genetics*
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Thermodynamics
  • Thymine / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / chemistry*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • CDKN1A protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Cyclins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • DNA
  • Cysteine
  • Thymine