Zinc-Regulated DNA Binding of the Yeast Zap1 Zinc-Responsive Activator
2011

Zinc Regulation of the Yeast Zap1 Transcription Factor

publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Avery G. Frey, Amanda J. Bird, Marguerite V. Evans-Galea, Elizabeth Blankman, Dennis R. Winge, David J. Eide

Primary Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Hypothesis

How does zinc status regulate the DNA binding activity of the Zap1 transcription factor in yeast?

Conclusion

Zinc regulates Zap1 activity through multiple mechanisms, including direct control of its DNA binding activity.

Supporting Evidence

  • Zap1 controls its own expression via positive autoregulation.
  • Zinc binding to Zap1's activation domains regulates its function.
  • Zinc levels affect Zap1 DNA binding without altering its nuclear localization.

Takeaway

Zinc helps control a protein called Zap1 in yeast, which is important for managing zinc levels in the cell.

Methodology

The study used in vivo dimethyl sulfate footprinting and chromatin immunoprecipitation to assess Zap1 DNA binding activity.

Limitations

The footprinting method does not definitively show that the protein protecting the ZRE is Zap1 and not some other transcription factor.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0022535

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