Regulation in vitro of Metallothionein Gene Binding Factors

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1987-03, Vol.235 (4794), p.1383-1387
• Main Authors: Seguin, Carl, Hamer, Dean H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Base Sequence; Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Cadmium; Cadmium - pharmacology; Cell extracts; Cell Nucleus - analysis; Cells; Cells (Biology); Deoxyribonuclease I; DNA; DNA - genetics; DNA - metabolism; DNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism; Edetic Acid - pharmacology; Electrophoresis; Eukaryotes; Eukaryotic cells; Exodeoxyribonucleases; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gels; Gene expression; Genes; Genes, Regulator; Genetic aspects; Genetic transcription; Genetics; House mouse; Metallothionein; Metallothionein - genetics; Mice; Mice as laboratory animals; Molecular and cellular biology; Molecular genetics; Molecules; Nuclear interactions; Nucleotides; Oligonucleotides; Oligonucleotides - genetics; Physiological aspects; Proteins; Transcription (Genetics); Transcription Factors - metabolism; Transcription, Genetic
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.3103216

Mouse nuclear factors that bind to an upstream metal regulatory element of the mouse metallothionein-I gene have been identified by DNA footprinting and oligonucleotide band shift assays. The formation of complexes at this site can be activated 20- to 40- fold by the in vitro addition of ionic cadmium. The activation reaction is rapid, reversible by a metal chelator, and may involve multiple proteins. These results suggest that the initial step in cadmium detoxification is an interaction between the metal and nuclear DNA-binding factors leading to an increase in metallothionein gene transcription. The ability to observe metal activation in vitro makes this a powerful system to study the biochemistry of eukaryotic gene regulation.