Synthetic transcription factors establish the function of nine amino acid transactivation domains of Komagataella phaffii Mxr1.

ABSTRACT: The zinc finger (ZF) transcription factor Mxr1 (methanol expression regulator 1) of the methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii (formerly Pichia pastoris) harbors a DNA-binding domain consisting of two C₂H₂ ZFs (Mxr1ZF) between amino acids 36 and 101 and a previously identified nine amino acid transactivation domain (9aaTAD) between residues 365 and 373 (TAD A, QELESSLNA). Beyond this, 21 putative 9aaTADs (designated TAD B-V) located between amino acids 401 and 1155 remain to be characterized. Here, we demonstrate that a compact synthetic transcription factor composed of Mxr1ZF and three tandem copies of TAD A can activate the transcription of Mxr1 target genes for ethanol and methanol metabolism with specificity and efficiency comparable to the full-length protein.

SUBMITTER: Priya P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11872449 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature