Abstract: The present invention relates to NF-X1, a novel DNA binding protein which regulates expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, and to DNA sequences which encode the protein as well as recombinant expression of the protein. NF-X1 is a newly identified, cysteine-rich polypeptide which interacts sequence-specifically with the conserved X1 box regulatory element found in the proximal promoters of class II MHC genes. A cysteine-rich domain within NF-X1 contains a motif repeated seven times, and this entire region is necessary and sufficient for both sequence specific binding and effector function. The motif is related to but distinct from the previously described metal-binding protein families: LIM domain and RING finger. NFX.1 mRNA is markedly overexpressed late after induction of cells with interferon-gamma, and this overexpression coincides with a reduction in the level of HLA-DRA transcript in these cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to NF-X1, a novel DNA binding protein which regulates expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, and to DNA sequences which encode the protein as well as recombinant expression of the protein. NF-X1 is a newly identified, cysteine-rich polypeptide which interacts sequence-specifically with the conserved X1 box regulatory element found in the proximal promoters of class II MHC genes. A cysteine-rich domain within NF-X1 contains a motif repeated seven times, and this entire region is necessary and sufficient for both sequence specific binding and effector function. The motif is related to but distinct from the previously described metal-binding protein families: LIM domain and RING finger. NFX.1 mRNA is markedly overexpressed late after induction of cells with interferon-gamma, and this overexpression coincides with a reduction in the level of HLA-DRA transcript in these cells.