Identification of the AP1-antagonism domain of retinoic acid receptors.

Retinoids are therapeutically effective in the treatment of psoriasis, photoaging, acne, and certain cancers. Some of the therapeutic actions of retinoids can be ascribed to retinoic acid receptor (RAR)-mediated antagonism of AP1-dependent gene expression. The increased activity of transcription factor AP1, a complex of oncoproteins Jun and Fos, is associated with cell growth and proliferation. Retinoids, on the other hand, inhibit cell proliferation and affect differentiation, activities that possibly stem from an antagonism of AP1-mediated gene expression by RARs. To gain insight into the molecular mechanism of RAR-AP1 interaction, we have identified the regions of the RAR required for AP1 antagonism. We demonstrate that the AP1 antagonism domain of RAR is a complex of the core of the DNA binding domain and the hydrophobic zipper region. Further, both monomeric RAR and RAR-RXR heterodimers inhibit the expression of an AP1 reporter. CREB binding protein (CBP) has been described as a cofactor for AP1, various nuclear hormone receptor proteins including RARs, and certain other transcription factors and is required for their transactivation properties. Therefore, CBP has been proposed as a common limiting cofactor that can account for inhibition of AP1-dependent gene expression by RARs. Interestingly, however, our results along with previously reported observations suggest that in addition to CBP, there may be other limiting cofactor(s) responsible for mutual transrepression of RAR and AP1.