Identification of an optimal Ncx binding sequence required for transcriptional activation

The Ncx gene encodes a homeobox containing transcription factor that belongs to the Hox11 gene family. We determined specific Ncx protein binding consensus DNA sequences. Optimal Ncx binding sequences were 5'-CGGTAATTGG-3' (TAAT core) and 5'-CGGTAAGTGG-3' (TAAG core), which coincided with the Hox11 binding sequence. Both Ncx and Hox11 could bind to the TAAT and the TAAG core oligonucleotide in vitro. However, they could efficiently transactivate the reporter plasmid linked to the TAAT core sequence but not to the TAAG core sequence. Thus, Ncx and Hox11 act as transcriptional activators via their target sequence, 5'-CGGTAATTGG-3'.