1. Academic Validation
  2. Mad: a heterodimeric partner for Max that antagonizes Myc transcriptional activity

Mad: a heterodimeric partner for Max that antagonizes Myc transcriptional activity

  • Cell. 1993 Jan 29;72(2):211-22. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(93)90661-9.
D E Ayer 1 L Kretzner R N Eisenman
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98104.
Abstract

Myc family proteins appear to function through heterodimerization with the stable, constitutively expressed bHLH-Zip protein, Max. To determine whether Max mediates the function of regulatory proteins other than Myc, we screened a lambda gt11 expression library with radiolabeled Max protein. One cDNA identified encodes a new member of the bHLH-Zip protein family, Mad. Human Mad protein homodimerizes poorly but binds Max in vitro, forming a sequence-specific DNA binding complex with properties very similar to those of Myc-Max. Both Myc-Max and Mad-Max heterocomplexes are favored over Max homodimers, and, unlike Max homodimers, the DNA binding activity of the heterodimers is unaffected by CKII phosphorylation. Mad does not associate with Myc or with representative bHLH, bZip, or bHLH-Zip proteins. In vivo transactivation assays suggest that Myc-Max and Mad-Max complexes have opposing functions in transcription and that Max plays a central role in this network of transcription factors.

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