TRIM28 regulates Kaiso SUMOylation

Abstract Tripartite motif protein 28 (TRIM28), a universal mediator of Krüppel-associated box domain zinc fingers (KRAB-ZNFs), is known to regulate DNA methylation of many repetitive elements and several imprinted loci. TRIM28 serves as a scaffold unit that is essential for the formation of stable repressor complexes. In the present study we found that TRIM28 is a binding partner for methyl-DNA binding protein Kaiso. Kaiso is a transcription factor that belongs to the BTB/POZ -zinc finger family. Recent data suggest that deficiency of Kaiso led to reduction of DNA methylation within the imprinting control region of H19/IGF2. Thus, we hypothesized that Kaiso and TRIM28 may cooperate to control methylated genes. We demonstrated that Kaiso interacts with TRIM28 via its two domains: BTB/POZ and three zinc finger domains. When bound to Kaiso’s zinc finger domains TRIM28 weakens their interactions with methylated DNA in vitro . Specific association of TRIM28 with BTB/POZ domain causes Kaiso hyperSUMOylation. Altogether our data describe a putative role of TRIM28 as a regulator of Kaiso activity.