The Loz1 transcription factor from Schizosaccharomyces pombe binds to Loz1 response elements and represses gene expression when zinc is in excess

What is it about?

In fission yeast the transcription factor Loz1 plays a central role in zinc homeostasis by inhibiting gene expression when zinc is in excess. Here we show that Loz1 DNA binding activity is dependent upon cellular zinc status and that Loz1 binds in a site-specific manner to Loz1 Response Elements (LREs) that are located in target genes promoters. These studies provide new mechanistic insight into Loz1 function, and highlight new pathways that are regulated by zinc.

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