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. 1989 Sep;9(9):4091–4095. doi: 10.1128/mcb.9.9.4091

The CUP2 gene product, regulator of yeast metallothionein expression, is a copper-activated DNA-binding protein.

C Buchman 1, P Skroch 1, J Welch 1, S Fogel 1, M Karin 1
PMCID: PMC362479  PMID: 2674688

Abstract

CUP2 is a regulatory gene controlling expression of CUP1, which encodes the Cu-binding yeast metallothionein. CUP2, which is identical to the ACE1 gene, encodes a Cu-regulated DNA-binding protein. The CUP2 protein contains a cysteine-rich DNA-binding domain dependent on Cu+ and Ag+ ions which bind the cysteine residues and direct the refolding of the metal-free apoprotein. CUP2 mutant alleles from Cu-sensitive yeast strains have point mutations affecting the DNA-binding activity. These results establish CUP2 as the primary sensor of intracellular Cu+ in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, functioning as a Cu+-regulated transcriptional activator.

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Selected References

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