Part:BBa_K1470002

Galactose-induced gene 4 DNA binding domain (Gal4DBD)

This protein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a positive transcriptional regulator for the gene expression of the galactose-induced genes such as GAL1, GAL2, GAL7, GAL10, and MEL1 which are important for galactose import and conversion to glucose [1].
It recognizes a 17 base pair sequence (5'-CGGN₁₁CCG-3') in the upstream activating sequence (UAS-G) of these genes.
GAL4 is used to investigate gene expressions in several organisms (bacteria, plants, fruit flyes) [2].
The protein is controlled by a strong promotor. Binding to UAS-G leads to the expression and detection of the corresponding gene, GFP for example.

References

TRAVEN, A., JELICIC, B., SOPTA, M.: Yeast Gal4: a transcriptional paradigm revisited. EMBO Rep. May 2006; 7(5): 496–499.
BRAND, AH., PERRIMON, N.: Targeted gene expression as a means of altering cell fates and generating dominant phenotypes. Development. 1993 Jun;118(2):401-15.