Characterization of elements determining the dimerization properties of RelB and p50

Members of the Rel/NF-kappa B family of transcription factors share a region of approximately 300 amino acids which mediates dimerization and sequence-specific binding to DNA. Here we report a detailed characterization of the dimerization domain of RelB. The structural core sufficient to form stable Rel/NF-kappa B dimeric complexes consists of about 110 residues. The dimerization and DNA binding properties of more than 50 RelB mutants were analyzed by using p50 and p52 as partners. We present evidence that amino acids of a conserved element in the dimerization domain play a role in the recognition of a kappa B DNA target sequence. The analysis of hybrid molecules with dimerization domains containing different parts of p50 and RelB allowed us to identify some important structural elements determining homo- and heterodimerization properties. Furthermore, we were able to rescue the dimerization-defective mutant RelB-N287D by the introduction of a counteracting mutation intramolecularly (cis), and also intermolecularly (trans) by a mutation in the NF-kappa B dimerization partner p50. Correspondingly, a dimerization defective p50 mutant was effectively rescued by RelB-N287D.