Benzoate X receptor zinc-finger gene switches for drug-inducible regulation of transcription

Targeted zinc-finger (ZF) DNA-binding domains in conjunction with nuclear receptor ligand-binding domains (LBDs) produce chemically inducible gene switches that have applications in gene therapy and proteomic and genomic research. The benzoate X receptor-beta (BXR beta) LBD was used to construct homodimer and single-chain ZF transcription factors (ZF(TF)s). These ZF(TF)s specifically regulated the transcription of target genes in response to two ligands, ethyl-4-hydroxybenzoate and propyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, in a dose-dependent manner. The ZF(TF)s also regulated the expression of endogenous intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in response to either ligand. The advantage of BXR beta-based ZF(TF)s is that the ligands are inexpensive and easily synthetically modified, making the system a base for creation of orthogonal ligand-receptor pairs and expanding the gene-switch toolbox. Gene Therapy (2012) 19, 458-462; doi: 10.1038/gt.2011.112; published online 28 July 2011