A SAM oligomerization domain shapes the genomic binding landscape of the LEAFY transcription factor

作者：Sayou Camille; Nanao Max H^*; Jamin Marc; Pose David; Thevenon Emmanuel; Gregoire Laura; Tichtinsky Gabrielle; Denay Gregoire; Ott Felix; Llobet Marta Peirats; Schmid Markus; Dumas Renaud^*; Parcy Francois^*

来源：Nature Communications, 2016, 7(1): 11222.

DOI：10.1038/ncomms11222

Deciphering the mechanisms directing transcription factors (TFs) to specific genome regions is essential to understand and predict transcriptional regulation. TFs recognize short DNA motifs primarily through their DNA-binding domain. Some TFs also possess an oligomerization domain suspected to potentiate DNA binding but for which the genome-wide influence remains poorly understood. Here we focus on the LEAFY transcription factor, a master regulator of flower development in angiosperms. We have determined the crystal structure of its conserved amino-terminal domain, revealing an unanticipated Sterile Alpha Motif oligomerization domain. We show that this domain is essential to LEAFY floral function. Moreover, combined biochemical and genome-wide assays suggest that oligomerization is required for LEAFY to access regions with low-affinity binding sites or closed chromatin. This finding shows that domains that do not directly contact DNA can nevertheless have a profound impact on the DNA binding landscape of a TF.

• 出版日期2016-4
• 单位中国地震局