Poly(C)-binding proteins as transcriptional regulators of gene expression

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 380; no. 3; pp. 431 - 436
• Main Authors: Choi, Hack Sun, Hwang, Cheol Kyu, Song, Kyu Young, Law, Ping-Yee, Wei, Li-Na, Loh, Horace H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 13.03.2009
• Subjects: 60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; DNA; DNA-binding proteins; Gene Expression Regulation; GENE REGULATION; GENES; Humans; Mice; Molecular Sequence Data; P21-activated kinase 1; Poly C - metabolism; Poly(C)-binding proteins; Promoter Regions, Genetic; PROMOTERS; Protein Conformation; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; RNA; RNA POLYMERASES; RNA-Binding Proteins - chemistry; RNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism; SIGNALS; TRANSCRIPTION; Transcription Factors - chemistry; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Transcriptional regulation; P21-activated kinase 1; Transcriptional regulation; DNA-binding proteins; Poly(C)-binding proteins
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.01.136

Poly(C)-binding proteins (PCBPs) are generally known as RNA-binding proteins that interact in a sequence-specific fashion with single-stranded poly(C). They can be divided into two groups: hnRNP K and PCBP1-4. These proteins are involved mainly in various posttranscriptional regulations (e.g., mRNA stabilization or translational activation/silencing). In this review, we summarize and discuss how PCBPs act as transcriptional regulators by binding to specific elements in gene promoters that interact with the RNA polymerase II transcription machinery. Transcriptional regulation of PCBPs might itself be regulated by their localization within the cell. For example, activation by p21-activated kinase 1 induces increased nuclear retention of PCBP1, as well as increased promoter activity. PCBPs can function as a signal-dependent and coordinated regulator of transcription in eukaryotic cells. We address the molecular mechanisms by which PCBPs binding to single- and double-stranded DNA mediates gene expression.