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. 1991 Dec;11(12):6286–6295. doi: 10.1128/mcb.11.12.6286

The transactivating domain of the c-Jun proto-oncoprotein is required for cotransformation of rat embryo cells.

R Alani 1, P Brown 1, B Binétruy 1, H Dosaka 1, R K Rosenberg 1, P Angel 1, M Karin 1, M J Birrer 1
PMCID: PMC361817  PMID: 1944289

Abstract

The nuclear phosphoprotein c-Jun, encoded by the proto-oncogene c-jun, is a major component of the AP-1 complex. A potent transcriptional regulator, c-jun is also able to transform normal rat embryo cells in cooperation with an activated c-Ha-ras gene. By deletion analysis, we identified the regions of c-Jun encoding transformation and transactivation functions. Our studies indicate that there is a direct correlation between the ability of the c-Jun protein to activate transcription and cotransform rat embryo cells. The regions involved in these functions include the conserved leucine zipper/DNA binding domain and an effector domain near its N terminus. This N-terminal region spans amino acids 61 to 146 of the c-Jun protein and is highly conserved among all Jun family members. These results support the hypothesis that c-Jun transforms cells by stimulating the expression of transformation-mediating genes.

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Selected References

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