Pbx raises the DNA binding specificity but not the selectivity of antennapedia Hox proteins.

We have used a binding site selection strategy to determine the optimal binding sites for Pbx proteins by themselves and as heterodimeric partners with various Hox gene products. Among the Pbx proteins by themselves, only Pbx3 binds with high affinity, as a monomer or as a homodimer, to an optimal binding site, TGATTGATTTGAT. An inhibitory domain located N terminal of the Pbx1 homeodomain prevents intrinsic Pbx1 binding to this sequence. When complexed with Hoxc-6, each of the Pbx gene products binds the same consensus sequence, TGATTTAT, which differs from the site bound by Pbx3 alone. Three members of the Antennapedia family, Hoxc-6, Hoxb-7, and Hoxb-8, select the same binding site in conjunction with Pbx1. The affinities of these proteins as heterodimeric partners with Pbx1 for the selected optimal binding site are similar. However, the binding specificity of Hox proteins for optimal binding sites is increased, compared to nonspecific DNA, in the presence of Pbx proteins. Thus, while cooperative DNA binding involving heterodimers of Pbx and Hox gene products derived from members within the Antennapedia family does not increase binding site selectivity, DNA binding specificity of the Hox gene products is significantly enhanced in the presence of Pbx.