The DREAM-DRE interaction: Key nucleotides and dominant negative mutants

Transcriptional repressor DREAM, an EF-hand containing calcium-binding protein, blocks basal expression of target genes through specific interaction with DRE sites in the DNA. The sequence GTCA forms the central core of the DRE site, whereas flanking nucleotides contribute notably to the affinity for DREAM. Release of binding of DREAM from the DRE results in derepression, a process that is regulated by Ca²⁺. Change of two amino acids within an EF-hand in DREAM blocks Ca²⁺-induced derepression and results in potent dominant negative mutants of endogenous DREAM.