Evolutionary variation of the CCAAT-binding transcription factor NF-Y.

ABSTRACT: NF-Y is a CCAAT-specific transcription factor thought to be involved in the regulation of a variety of eukaryotic genes. It shows a striking sequence similarity with the yeast factor HAP2/3. In an attempt to trace back its evolutionary history, we succeeded in isolating NF-Y cDNA clones from a plant and from several species of vertebrates. The patterns of sequence conservation delineate potential functional domains: A central, highly conserved, domain likely responsible for DNA-binding and subunit interaction; more evolutionarily flexible flanking regions, in which variability is clustered, individualizing conserved glutamine or acidic amino-acids putatively involved in protein-protein contacts.

SUBMITTER: Li XY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC312095 | biostudies-other | 1992 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other