Identification and characterization of specific DNA-binding complexes containing members of the Myc/Max/Mad network of transcriptional regulators

In the past, eukaryotic cell derived complexes of the Myc/Max/Mad network of transcriptional regulators have largely been refractory to DNA binding studies. We have developed electrophoretic mobility shift assay conditions to measure specific DNA binding of Myc/max/Mad network complexes using a COS7 cell-based overexpression system. With the established protocol, we have measured on-and off-rates of c-Myc/Max, Max/Max, and Mad1/Max complexes and determined relative affinities. All three complexes appeared to bind with comparable affinity to a Myc E-box sequence. Furthermore, our data derived from competition experiments suggested that the Mad3/Max and Mad4/Max complexes also possess comparable DNA binding affinities. The conditions established for COS7 cell-overexpressed proteins were then used to identify c-Myc/Max, Max/Max, and Mnt/Max complexes in HL-60 cells. However, no Mad1/Max could be detected, despite the induction of Mad1 expression during differentiation. Whereas the DNA binding activity of c-Myc/Max complexes was down-regulated, Max/Max binding increased, and Mnt/Max binding remained unchanged. In addition, we have also tested for upstream stimulatory factor (USF) binding and observed that, in agreement with published data, USF comprises a major Myc E-box-binding factor that is more abundant than any of the Myc/Max/Mad network complexes. Similar to the Mnt/Max complex, the binding activity of USF remained constant during HL-60 differentiation. Our findings establish conditions for the analysis of DNA binding of Myc/Max/Mad complexes and indicate posttranslational regulation of the Max/Max complex.