Sequence-specific interactions of a maize factor with a GC-rich repeat in the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase gene.

A plant nuclear protein PEP-I, which binds specifically to the promoter region of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) gene, was identified. Methylation interference analysis and DNA binding assays using synthetic oligonucleotides revealed that PEP-I binds to GC-rich elements. These elements are directly repeated sequences in the promoter region of the PEPC gene and we have suggested that they may be cis-regulatory elements of this gene. The consensus sequence of the element is CCCTCTCCACATCC and the CTCC is essential for binding of PEP-I. PEP-I is present in the nuclear extracts of green leaves, where the PEPC gene is expressed. However, no binding was detected in tissues where the PEPC gene is not expressed in vivo, such as roots or etiolated leaves. Thus, PEP-I is the first factor identified in plants which has different binding activity in light-grown compared with dark-grown tissue. PEP-I binding is also tissue-specific, suggesting that PEP-I may function to coordinate PEPC gene expression with respect to light and tissue specificity. This report describes the identification and characterization of the sequences required for PEP-I binding.