SOX9 interacts with a component of the human thyroid hormone receptor-associated protein complex

SOX9 transcription factor is involved in chondrocyte differentiation and male sex determination. Heterozygous defects in the human SOX9 gene cause campomelic dysplasia. The mechanisms behind SOX9 function are not understood despite the description of different target genes. This study therefore sets out to identify SOX9-associated proteins to unravel how SOX9 interacts with the cellular transcription machinery. We report the ability of SOX9 to interact with TRAP230, a component of the thyroid hormone receptor-associated protein (TRAP) complex. Both in vitro and in vivo assays have confirmed that the detected interaction is specific and occurs endogenously in cells. Using co-transfection experiments, we have also shown that the TRAP230 interacting domain can act in a dominant-negative manner regarding SOX9 activity. Our results add SOX9 to the list of activators that communicate with the general transcription machinery through the TRAP complex and suggest a basis for the collaboration of SOX9 with different coactivators that could contact the same coactivator/integrator complex.