Zinc dependent recognition of a human CpG island sequence by the mammalian spermatidal protein TP2

Rat spermatidal protein TP2 is a zinc metalloprotein with two atoms of zinc coordinated to cysteine and histidine residues and condenses alternating GC copolymer preferentially in a zinc dependent manner [Kundu, T. K., & Rao, M. R. S. (1995) Biochemistry 34,5143-5150]. In the present study, we have used a 40-mer oligonucleotide containing a human CpG island sequence to study its interaction with TP2 by gel mobility shift assays. A specific complex was observed in the presence of poly(dI).poly(dC). Preincubation of TP2 with 10 mM EDTA or 1 mM 1, 10-o-phenanthroline inhibited the complex formation by more than 90%. Competition experiments with various polynucleotides revealed the following order of efficiency: poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) > cold homologous oligonucleotide > poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT). Homoduplexes poly(dG).poly(dC) and poly(dA).poly(dT) had no effect on the complex formation. Chromomycin A3, a GC minor groove binding drug, inhibited the complex formation. Methylation of the CpG doublet within the CpG island sequence by SssI methylase (CpG methylase) completely abolished the complex formation. Methylation of G at the N-7 position with dimethyl sulfate did not affect the recognition of CpG island by TP2. Thus, CpG islands, widely distributed in the mammalian genome, may serve as specific loci for initiation of chromatin condensation by TP2 during the later stages of spermiogenesis.