Molecular models of small phosphorylated chromatin peptides. Structure-function relationship and regulatory activity on in vitro transcription and on cell growth and differentiation

Peptides. 1994 Jan;15(1):7-13. doi: 10.1016/0196-9781(94)90163-5.

Abstract

We previously reported the isolation of low molecular weight phosphorylated peptides from the chromatin of several tissues. The chromatin peptides show a regulatory activity on DNA in vitro transcription and on cell growth and differentiation. In this paper, we report a molecular model of the native peptides designed according to the structural information obtained by means of biochemical and mass spectrometry analysis: pyroGlu-Ala-Gly-Glu-Asp-Ser(P)-Asp-Glu-Glu-Asn. This or very similar sequences are present in many transcription factors; on the basis of the structural model we presented and of related protein sequences, we have synthesized the peptide pyroGlu-Asp-Asp-Ser-Asp-Glu-Glu-Asn. This peptide affects transcription rate in reconstituted systems in vitro and in isolated nuclei; moreover, it inhibits the growth of HL60 cells with a parallel stimulus of differentiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Cell Division / physiology*
  • Cell-Free System
  • Chromatin / chemistry*
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Molecular Weight
  • PC12 Cells
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Trout

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Peptides