The Transactivating Domain of the c-Jun Proto-Oncoprotein Is Required for Cotransformation of Rat Embryo Cells

Rhoda Alani, Powel Brown, Bernard Binétruy, Hirotoshi Dosaka, Richard K. Rosenberg, Peter Angel, Michael Karin, Michael J. Birrer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

124 Scopus citations

Abstract

The nuclear phosphoprotein c-Jun, encoded by the proto-oncogene c-jun, is a major component of the AP-1 complex. A potent transcriptional regulator, c-jun is also able to transform normal rat embryo cells in cooperation with an activated c-Ha-ras gene. By deletion analysis, we identified the regions of c-Jun encoding transformation and transactivation functions. Our studies indicate that there is a direct correlation between the ability of the c-Jun protein to activate transcription and cotransform rat embryo cells. The regions involved in these functions include the conserved leucine zipper/DNA binding domain and an effector domain near its N terminus. This N-terminal region spans amino acids 61 to 146 of the c-Jun protein and is highly conserved among all Jun family members. These results support the hypothesis that c-Jun transforms cells by stimulating the expression of transformation-mediating genes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)6286-6295
Number of pages10
JournalMolecular and Cellular Biology
Volume11
Issue number12
StatePublished - Dec 1991
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

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