c-Myb function is modulated in part by a negative regulation domain wh
ich encompasses a leucine zipper (LZ). When E. coli-expressed c-Myb wi
th wild type or mutated LZ proteins are assessed for DNA binding activ
ity, the mutant form is substantially better at DNA binding than the w
ild type (WT) form. In contrast, the DNA binding activity of the WT pr
otein is increased to an equivalent level of activity of the LZ-mutant
when both are expressed in rabbit reticulocyte lysates (RRL) or insec
t cells. The possibility that phosphorylation overcomes the negative i
nfluence of the LZ was investigated. E. coli-expressed mutant, but not
wild type c-Myb proteins, were shown to be substrates for Casein Kina
se II (CKII) and cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase (PKA). The phosphorylat
ion sites for CKII and PKA were serines 11 and 12, and 8 and 116, resp
ectively. Serines 11 and 12 were found to be phosphorylated in recombi
nant wild type and mutant c-Myb expressed in insect cells and DNA bind
ing was markedly reduced following phosphatase treatment. Substitution
of serines 11 and 12 with glutamic acid and alanine in E. coli-expres
sed Myb demonstrated that these amino terminal residues influence the
negative effect on DNA binding exerted by the LZ. Collectively, these
observations support the notion that phosphorylation of serines 11 and
12 positively modulate DNA binding.