In vitro transforming capacities of mouse c-jun:junD chimeric genes

Among the murine Jun family of transcription factors, c-Jun and JunD are closely-related proteins with similar dimerization, DNA binding and transactivating properties. However, when expressed from a self-replicating retroviral RCAS vector, c-jun, but not junD, transforms chick embryo fibroblasts. We attempted to map the regions of c-jun which are important for transformation by constructing hybrids between c-jun and junD. Using common restriction sites, we prepared six different chimeric molecules. All of these c-jun:junD hybrids code for transactivators of AP1-containing promoters. An N-terminal segment of 79 amino acids of c-Jun converts JunD into a strong transforming protein, while other segments of c-Jun contribute to a lesser extent. Contrary to what has been reported with rat embryo fibroblasts, a c-Jun derivative with serines substituted by alanines in positions 63 and 73 still transforms CEFs efficiently.