A functional assay for enhancer-binding proteins

McBindall—A Better Name for CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Proteins?

C/EBP-related transcription factors regulate the balance between cell proliferation and mitotic growth arrest during terminal differentiation. Three new studies give evidence that this regulation is mediated by protein:protein interactions completely distinct from the role of C/EBPs in gene expression.

Enhancer-Binding Proteins HrpR and HrpS

Identification of enhancer binding proteins important for Myxococcus xanthus development.

Enhancer binding proteins (EBPs) control the temporal expression of fruiting body development-associated genes in Myxococcus xanthus. Eleven previously uncharacterized EBP genes were inactivated. Six EBP gene mutations produced minor but reproducible defects in fruiting body development. One EBP gene mutation that affected A-motility produced strong developmental defects.

A versatile assay for RNA-binding proteins in living cells.

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) control RNA fate from synthesis to decay. Since their cellular expression levels frequently do not reflect their in vivo activity, methods are needed to assess the steady state RNA-binding activity of RBPs as well as their responses to stimuli. While electrophoresis mobility shift assays (EMSA) have been used for such determinations, their results serve at best as pr...

Regulation of mouse chondrocyte differentiation by CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins.

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) β regulates chondrocyte differentiaion and proliferation during endochondral ossification. However, expression and function of other C/EBP family members in chondrocytes have not been fully understood. To understand the comprehensive regulation of chondrocyte differentiation by C/EBPs, we initially examined their expression levels. Among four members (C/EB...