Abstract
Class II transactivator (CIITA) is a global transcriptional coactivator of human leukocyte antigen-D (HLA-D) genes. CIITA contains motifs similar to guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins. This report shows that CIITA binds GTP, and mutations in these motifs decrease its GTP-binding and transactivation activity. Substitution of these motifs with analogous sequences from Ras restores CIITA function. CIITA exhibits little GTPase activity, yet mutations in CIITA that confer GTPase activity reduce transcriptional activity. GTP binding by CIITA correlates with nuclear import. Thus, unlike other GTP-binding proteins, CIITA is involved in transcriptional activation that uses GTP binding to facilitate its own nuclear import.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
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Animals
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Binding Sites
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COS Cells
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Cell Line
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Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
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GTP-Binding Proteins / chemistry
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GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
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GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Genes, MHC Class II*
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Guanosine Triphosphate / metabolism*
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HLA-DR Antigens / genetics
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Humans
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Mutation
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Nuclear Proteins*
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Promoter Regions, Genetic
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Temperature
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Trans-Activators / chemistry
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Trans-Activators / genetics
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Trans-Activators / metabolism*
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Transcription Factors / metabolism
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Transcriptional Activation*
Substances
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HLA-DR Antigens
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MHC class II transactivator protein
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Nuclear Proteins
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Trans-Activators
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Transcription Factors
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Guanosine Triphosphate
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Adenosine Triphosphate
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GTP-Binding Proteins