The Saccharomyces cerevisiae zinc finger proteins Msn2p and Msn4p are required for transcriptional induction through the stress response element (STRE)

EMBO J. 1996 May 1;15(9):2227-35.

Abstract

The MSN2 and MSN4 genes encode homologous and functionally redundant Cys2His2 zinc finger proteins. A disruption of both MSN2 and MSN4 genes results in a higher sensitivity to different stresses, including carbon source starvation, heat shock and severe osmotic and oxidative stresses. We show that MSN2 and MSN4 are required for activation of several yeast genes such as CTT1, DDR2 and HSP12, whose induction is mediated through stress-response elements (STREs). Msn2p and Msn4p are important factors for the stress-induced activation of STRE dependent promoters and bind specifically to STRE-containing oligonucleotides. Our results suggest that MSN2 and MSN4 encode a DNA-binding component of the stress responsive system and it is likely that they act as positive transcription factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • Osmotic Pressure
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Protein Binding
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins*
  • Transcription Factors*
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Zinc Fingers

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • MSN2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • MSN4 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Transcription Factors