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At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

Identification of a novel mammary cell line-specific enhancer element in the long terminal repeat of mouse mammary tumor virus, which interacts with its hormone-responsive element.

We analyzed the long terminal repeat (LTR) of mouse mammary tumor virus for sequences that influence its promoter activity by using the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay. A series of LTR deletion mutants and recombinants between LTR and simian virus 40 regulatory sequences were used for these studies. Through transfection experiments in three different human cell lines (T47D, MCF-7, and HeLa), we identified a novel mammary cell line-specific enhancer element on a 98-bp BanII fragment (from position -1075 to -978 upstream of the start site of transcription) which interacts with the hormone-responsive element of LTR. We also identified nuclear factors that specifically interacted with this BanII fragment in the nuclear extract from the mammary tumor cell line, T47D, but not from the HeLa cell line.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PEA1 and PEA3 enhancer elements are primary components of the polyomavirus late transcription initiator element.

The circular polyomavirus genome is transcribed from divergent promoter regions. Early mRNAs are initiated from a transcription complex formed at a TATA motif, the site of binding of transcription factor TFIID. Early transcription is promoted at a distance by the viral enhancer, which includes DNA motifs bound by cellular proteins of the PEA1 and PEA3 families of transcription activators. In contrast, the predominant viral late mRNAs are initiated within the viral enhancer, which lacks a TATA motif, near the PEA1 and PEA3 DNA motifs. Here, we demonstrate that these PEA1 and PEA3 binding sites are primary components of an autonomous transcription initiator element (Inr). They cause transcription of most polyomavirus late mRNAs and can direct the transcription of heterologous reporter genes. Alternative roles of these DNA motifs as activators of early mRNA transcription and as an initiator element for late mRNA transcription help explain how polyomavirus gene expression is regulated during lytic growth and provides a model for cellular transcription during development.

Animals↗

Alternative polyadenylation of adeno-associated virus type 5 RNA within an internal intron is governed by both a downstream element within the intron 3' splice acceptor and an element upstream of the P41 initiation site.

Adeno-associated virus type 5 (AAV5) has a linear, single-stranded DNA genome of ca. 5 kb and an overlapping transcription profile featuring multiple promoters and a single intron in the center of the genome. Unlike the situation for the prototype AAV2, AAV5 RNAs transcribed from upstream promoters at map units 7 (P7) and 19 (P19), which encode the viral Rep proteins, are predominantly polyadenylated at a site within the intron [(pA)p]. RNAs generated from the AAV5 capsid gene promoter P41, which is only 78 nucleotides (nt) upstream of the intron donor, and 281 nt upstream of (pA)p, primarily readthrough (pA)p, are polyadenylated at a more distal site at the 3' end of the genome [(pA)d] and ultimately spliced. The intron contains the core sequences sufficient for polyadenylation at (pA)p, which is governed by a G/U-rich downstream element that overlaps with the intron 3' A2 splice acceptor. In addition, polyadenylation of P7- and P19-generated RNAs at (pA)p is influenced by an upstream element that lies 5' to the start of the P41 transcript. Our results also suggest that splicing and polyadenylation of P41-generated RNA can compete for the same pool of precursor pre-mRNA molecules. The cis-acting signals within the A2 3' splice site that govern polyadenylation and splicing of AAV5 RNAs must be optimized to program both (i) the levels of polyadenylation of P7- and P19-generated RNA at (pA)p required to generate the proper levels of the essential Rep proteins and (ii) the splicing of P41-generated RNAs to generate the proper ratio of capsid proteins during AAV5 infection.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Site-specific recognition of a 70-base-pair element containing d(GA)(n) repeats mediates bithoraxoid polycomb group response element-dependent silencing.

Polycomb group proteins act through Polycomb group response elements (PREs) to maintain silencing at homeotic loci. The minimal 1.5-kb bithoraxoid (bxd) PRE contains a region required for pairing-sensitive repression and flanking regions required for maintenance of embryonic silencing. Little is known about the identity of specific sequences necessary for function of the flanking regions. Using gel mobility shift analysis, we identify DNA binding activities that interact specifically with a multipartite 70-bp fragment (MHS-70) downstream of the pairing-sensitive sequence. Deletion of MHS-70 in the context of a 5.1-kb bxd Polycomb group response element derepresses maintenance of silencing in embryos. A partially purified binding activity requires multiple, nonoverlapping d(GA)(3) repeats for MHS-70 binding in vitro. Mutation of d(GA)(3) repeats within MHS-70 in the context of the 5.1-kb bxd PRE destabilizes maintenance of silencing in a subset of cells in vivo but gives weaker derepression than deletion of MHS-70. These results suggest that d(GA)(3) repeats are important for silencing but that other sequences within MHS-70 also contribute to silencing. Antibody supershift assays and Western analyses show that distinct isoforms of Polyhomeotic and two proteins that recognize d(GA)(3) repeats, the TRL/GAGA factor and Pipsqueak (Psq), are present in the MHS-70 binding activity. Mutations in Trl and psq enhance homeotic phenotypes of ph, indicating that TRL/GAGA factor and Psq are enhancers of Polycomb which have sequence-specific DNA binding activity. These studies demonstrate that site-specific recognition of the bxd PRE by d(GA)(n) repeat binding activities mediates PcG-dependent silencing.

Animals↗

Myocardin enhances Smad3-mediated transforming growth factor-beta1 signaling in a CArG box-independent manner: Smad-binding element is an important cis element for SM22alpha transcription in vivo.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is an important cytokine involved in various diseases. However, the molecular mechanism whereby TGF-beta1 signaling modulates the regulatory network for smooth muscle gene transcription remains largely unknown. To address this question, we previously identified a Smad-binding element (SBE) in the SM22alpha promoter as one of the TGF-beta1 response elements. Here, we show that mutation of the SBE reduces the activation potential of a SM22alpha promoter in transgenic mice during embryogenesis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays reveal that TGF-beta1 induces Smad3 binding to the SM22alpha promoter in vivo. A multimerized SBE promoter responsive to TGF-beta1 signaling is highly activated by Smad3 but not by the closely related Smad2. Intriguingly, myocardin (Myocd), a known CArG box-dependent serum response factor coactivator, participates in Smad3-mediated TGF-beta1 signaling and synergistically stimulates Smad3-induced SBE promoter activity independent of the CArG box; no such synergy is seen with Smad2. Importantly, Myocd cooperates with Smad3 to activate the wild-type SM22alpha, SM myosin heavy chain, and SMalpha-actin promoters; they also activate the CArG box-mutated SM22alpha promoter as well as the CArG box-independent aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein promoter. Immunopreciptiation assays reveal that Myocd and Smad3 directly interact both in vitro and in vivo. Mutagenesis studies indicate that the C-terminal transactivation domains of Myocd and Smad3 are required for their functional synergy. These results reveal a novel regulatory mechanism whereby Myocd participates in TGF-beta1 signal pathway through direct interaction with Smad3, which binds to the SBEs. This is the first demonstration that Myocd can act as a transcriptional coactivator of the smooth muscle regulatory network in a CArG box-independent manner.

Animals↗

Trace element status of PKU children ingesting an elemental diet.

We assessed the trace metal status of 10 children (3.5 to 13.3 yr) with phenylketonuria (PKU) who were successively treated for at least 6 months with a semi-synthetic formula restricted in phenylalanine, then for 6 months with a reformulated formula. The reformulated product contained higher concentrations of magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) and lower concentrations of calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), and unsaturated fats. Diet records, blood samples, and urine specimens were collected from each subject. Mean intakes of Mg, K, and Zn increased significantly when subjects were switched to the reformulated product. The subject's mean intakes of Se (for all age groups) and Zn (children 11 to 14 yr old) were below 67% of recommended intakes while they were ingesting the original formula. The mean trace metal concentrations of urine, blood, and serum did not differ significantly during the two periods. Mean serum Zn, Se, and Cu concentrations of the subjects were less than those reported for normal children. Significant negative correlations were obtained between serum Zn concentrations and the molar ratio of dietary (Ca + P):Zn, and the molar ratio of dietary Fe:Zn. No significant differences in mean urinary Cu and Zn excretion (mg/g creatinine) were observed in subjects after they were changed to the reformulated product. Individuals whose primary source of energy and protein is derived from semi-synthetic elemental diets are especially at risk for multiple trace element deficiencies.

Adolescent↗

The promoter of the gene encoding 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein contains cAMP response elements: evidence for positive autoregulation of gene transcription.

The transcriptional transactivational activities of the phosphoprotein cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) are activated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A signaling pathway. Dimers of CREB bind to the palindromic DNA element 5'-TGACGTCA-3' (or similar motifs) called cAMP-responsive enhancers (CREs) found in the control regions of many genes, and activate transcription in response to phosphorylation of CREB by protein kinase A. Earlier we reported on the cyclical expression of the CREB gene in the Sertoli cells of the rat testis that occurred concomitant with the FSH-induced rise in cellular cAMP levels and suggested that transcription of the CREB gene may be autoregulated by cAMP-dependent transcriptional proteins. We now report the structure of the 5'-flanking sequence of the human CREB gene containing promoter activity. The promoter has a high content of guanosines and cytosines and lacks canonical TATA and CCAAT boxes typically found in the promoters of genes in eukaryotes. Notably, the promoter contains three CREs and transcriptional activities of a promoter-luciferase reporter plasmid transfected to placental JEG-3 cells are increased 3- to 5-fold over basal activities in response to either cAMP or 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-14-acetate, and give 6- to 7-fold responses when both agents are added. The CREs bind recombinant CREB and endogenous CREB or CREB-like proteins contained in placental JEG-3 cells and also confer cAMP-inducible transcriptional activation to a heterologous minimal promoter. Our studies suggest that the expression of the CREB gene is positively autoregulated in trans.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regulation of insulin-like growth factor I transcription by cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) in fetal rat bone cells through an element within exon 1: protein kinase A-dependent control without a consensus AMP response element.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a locally synthesized anabolic growth factor for bone. IGF-I synthesis by primary fetal rat osteoblasts (Ob) is stimulated by agents that increase the intracellular cAMP concentration, including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Previous studies with Ob cultures demonstrated that PGE2 enhanced IGF-I transcription through selective use of IGF-I promoter 1, with little effect on IGF-I messenger RNA half-life. Transient transfection of Ob cultures with an array of promoter 1-luciferase reporter fusion constructs has now allowed localization of a potential cis-acting promoter element(s) responsible for cAMP-stimulated gene expression to the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of IGF-I exon 1, within a segment lacking a consensus cAMP response element. Our evidence derives from three principal observations: 1) a transfection construct containing only 122 nucleotides (nt) of promoter 1 and 328 nt of the 5'-UTR retained full PGE2-stimulated reporter expression; 2) maximal PGE2-driven reporter expression required the presence of nt 196 to 328 of exon 1 when tested within the context of IGF-I promoter 1; 3) cotransfection of IGF-I promoter-luciferase-reporter constructs with a plasmid encoding the alpha-isoform of the catalytic subunit of murine cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) produced results comparable to those seen with PGE2 treatment, whereas cotransfection with a plasmid encoding a mutant regulatory subunit of PKA that cannot bind cAMP blocked PGE2-induced reporter expression. Deoxyribonuclease I footprinting of the 5'-UTR of exon 1 demonstrated protected sequences at HS3A, HS3B, and HS3D, three of six DNA-protein binding sites previously characterized with rat liver nuclear extracts. Of these three regions, only the HS3D binding site is located within the functionally identified hormonally responsive segment of IGF-I exon 1. These results directly implicate PKA in the control of IGF-I gene transcription by PGE2 and identify a segment of IGF-I exon 1 as being essential for this hormonal regulation.

Animals↗

A steroidogenic factor-1-binding site and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate response element-like elements are required for the activity of the rat aromatase promoter in rat Leydig tumor cell lines.

Although transcription initiation within CYP19 (cytochrome P450 aromatase) occurs immediately 5' to the initiator methionine (proximal promoter) in two rat Leydig tumor cell lines (R2C and H540) that express high aromatase activity and in rat ovary, the patterns of aromatase expression in the two cell types are distinctive. To define mechanisms controlling different patterns of expression of the rat aromatase proximal promoter, we performed transient transfection and gel mobility shift assays. Transfection experiments using different sized promoter fragments fused to a reporter gene were used to identify regions that are functionally important for transcriptional regulation in steroidogenic cell lines [R2C, H540, and Y1 (mouse adrenocortical cells that express low aromatase activity)]. These experiments indicate that the cAMP response element (CRE) at -231 and the steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1) motif are both required for expression of the reporter gene in each steroidogenic cell line and that the CRE at -169 is similarly required in R2C cells. Gel mobility shift assays confirm binding of nuclear proteins from the steroidogenic cell lines to the SF1 motif and to CRE (-231). Leydig tumor cells also contain nuclear proteins that bind to the CRE (-169), but nuclear extracts from R2C cells produce a uniquely shifted band compared with H540 cells. These results suggest that differences in proteins that bind to distinct elements within the rat aromatase promoter may be responsible for different patterns and levels of aromatase expression in these steroidogenic cell lines.

Animals↗

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1a binds to cis elements in the promoter of the rat high density lipoprotein receptor SR-BI gene.

The high density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor, or scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), is critical for cholesterol transport and a potential target for hypercholesterolemic drugs. Thus, elucidation of the mechanism underlying regulation of the HDL receptor SR-BI gene is essential. It has been previously shown that there is a correlation between depletion in ovarian cholesteryl ester content and increased HDL receptor SR-BI expression in response to hormonal stimulation. We wanted to determine whether the levels of mature sterol response element-binding protein-1a (SREBP-1a), a key protein in the transcriptional regulation of several genes by sterols, are affected under these conditions. Thus, Western blot analysis was carried out. Consistent with the possibility that SREBP-1a may be involved in the regulation of the HDL receptor SR-BI gene, we found that mature SREBP-1a levels increased up to 11-fold in the ovary after treatment with 50 U hCG. This increase in mature SREBP-1a protein levels correlated with a 30% decrease in ovarian cholesterol levels. These changes in both SREBP-1a and cholesterol levels preceded a 2-fold induction of HDL receptor SR-BI protein levels. To determine whether SREBP-1a could directly regulate the expression of the rat HDL receptor SR-BI gene, approximately 2.2 kb of the receptor SR-BI promoter were cloned and sequenced, and deletion analysis and mobility shift assays were performed. The results of these studies demonstrate that the rat HDL receptor SR-BI promoter contains two sterol response elements (pSRE and dSRE) through which SREBP-1a can bind and activate transcription of this gene. These motifs are similar to known SRE motifs reported for sterol-sensitive genes, and the pSRE is located between two Sp1 sites, similar to the SRE-1 motif in the low density lipoprotein receptor. The cysteine protease inhibitor N-acetyl-leucyl-leucyl-norleucinal, which inhibits SREBP degradation, enhanced the effect of SREBP-1a on the regulation of the rat HDL receptor SR-BI gene. It has previously been shown that tropic hormones such as hCG can also influence gene expression by increasing cAMP levels. Consistent with this fact, we have recently shown that steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) mediates cAMP activation of the HDL receptor SR-BI gene. Thus, we decided to examine whether SREBP-1a could cooperate with SF-1 to enhance transcription this gene. The results confirm that indeed both SF-1 and SREBP-1a synergize to induce HDL receptor SR-BI gene expression.

Animals↗

Induction of rat aldose reductase gene transcription is mediated through the cis-element, osmotic response element (ORE): increased synthesis and/or activation by phosphorylation of ORE-binding protein is a key step.

We isolated the rat aldose reductase gene and examined the 5'-flanking sequence for the presence of transcription regulatory element responsive to hyperosmolarity. Deletion of aldose reductase gene up to -1047 bp abolished the transcriptional activation in response to osmotic stimuli in transient transfection experiments. A 17-bp sequence [rat osmotic response element (rORE)], which is located in bp -1073/-1057 and contains the TGGAAAATCAC sequence, confers osmotic response on a heterologous promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays using the 17-bp fragment demonstrated that distinct DNA-protein complexes (I and II) were formed predominantly with nuclear extracts from the cells exposed to hyperosmolarity. When the nuclear extracts were preincubated with calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase or protein phosphatase 1, formation of complexes I and II was reduced to the control level. However, incubation with protein tyrosine phosphatase and addition of antiphosphotyrosine antibody had no effect on the complexes. When the nuclear extracts were preincubated with diamide to oxidize the thiols, complexes I and II were not affected. Pretreatment of the cells with cycloheximide abolished the complexes. All of these data indicate that activation by phosphorylation and/or increased synthesis of rORE-binding protein(s) are the key steps in induction of transcription of the rat aldose reductase gene by hyperosmolarity. Furthermore, we showed that glucose was more effective than NaCl in induction of aldose reductase both in transient transfection experiments and by Northern blot analysis. The results suggest the presence of a glucose-specific mechanism of induction in addition to that by NaCl.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

Yin yang 1 protein negatively regulates high-density lipoprotein receptor gene transcription by disrupting binding of sterol regulatory element binding protein to the sterol regulatory element.

Because the high-density lipoprotein receptor (HDL-R) is a key element in cholesterol homeostasis and a potential therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemic drugs, an understanding of HDL-R regulation is essential. The sterol regulatory element (SRE) binding protein-1a (SREBP-1a) was shown to positively regulate HDL-R gene expression through two SREs. SREBP-1a requires the presence of a coactivator like simian-virus-40-protein-1 (Sp1) to promote maximum activation of the HDL-R promoter. Negative regulatory factors are also known to play a role in cholesterol homeostasis, and the ubiquitous Yin Yang-1 zinc finger transcription factor (YY1) has been shown to repress several sterol-responsive gene promoters. A search of the rat HDL-R promoter revealed two putative YY1 binding sites (distal, -1329 to -1321; proximal, -1211 to -1203). Upon removal of both YY1 binding sites, YY1 was unable to repress HDL-R activation under basal (unstimulated) promoter conditions. However, YY1 was still an efficient transcriptional repressor for SREBP-1a-induced activation. YY1 was able to attenuate the transcriptional synergy caused by the combined actions of SREBP-1a and Sp1. Two-hybrid studies confirmed that YY1 bound with high affinity to SREBP-1a, and mobility shift assays demonstrated that YY1 could disrupt SREBP-1a binding to both SREs. The molecular consequence of YY1 intervention seems to override any positive interactions between Sp-1 and SREBP-1a and results in the disruption of SREBP-1a binding to the SREs in the HDL-R promoter.

Animals↗

Androgens stimulate lipogenic gene expression in prostate cancer cells by activation of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein cleavage activating protein/sterol regulatory element-binding protein pathway.

Using two independent prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP and MDA-PCa-2a), we demonstrate that coordinated stimulation of lipogenic gene expression by androgens is a common phenomenon in androgen-responsive prostate tumor lines and involves activation of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) pathway. We show 1) that in both cell lines, androgens stimulate the expression of fatty acid synthase and hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A synthase, two key lipogenic genes representative for the fatty acid and the cholesterol synthesis pathway, respectively; 2) that treatment with androgens results in increased nuclear levels of active SREBP; 3) that the effects of androgens on promoter-reporter constructs derived from both lipogenic genes (fatty acid synthase and hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A synthase) depend on the presence of intact SREBP-binding sites; and 4) that cotransfection with dominant-negative forms of SREBPs abolishes the effects of androgens. Related to the mechanism underlying androgen activation of the SREBP pathway, we show that in addition to minor effects on SREBP precursor levels, androgens induce a major increase in the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein cleavage-activating protein (SCAP), an escort protein that transports SREBPs from their site of synthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum to their site of proteolytical activation in the Golgi. Both time course studies and overexpression experiments showing that increasing levels of SCAP enhance the production of mature SREBP and stimulate lipogenic gene expression support the contention that SCAP plays a pivotal role in the lipogenic effects of androgens in tumor cells.

Androgens↗

Dexamethasone represses cAMP rapid upregulation of TRH gene transcription: identification of a composite glucocorticoid response element and a cAMP response element in TRH promoter.

Hypothalamic proTRH mRNA levels are rapidly increased (at 1 h) in vivo by cold exposure or suckling, and in vitro by 8Br-cAMP or glucocorticoids. The aim of this work was to study whether these effects occurred at the transcriptional level. Hypothalamic cells transfected with rat TRH promoter (-776/+85) linked to the luciferase reporter showed increased transcription by protein kinase (PK) A and PKC activators, or by dexamethasone (dex), but co-incubation with dex and 8Br-cAMP decreased their stimulatory effect (as observed for proTRH mRNA levels). These effects were also observed in NIH-3T3-transfected cells supporting a characteristic of TRH promoter and not of hypothalamic cells. Transcriptional regulation by 8Br-cAMP was mimicked by noradrenaline which increased proTRH mRNA levels, but not in the presence of dex. PKA inhibition by H89 avoided 8Br-cAMP or noradrenaline stimulation. TRH promoter sequences, cAMP response element (CRE)-like (-101/-94 and -59/-52) and glucocorticoid response element (GRE) half-site (-210/-205), were analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays with nuclear extracts from hypothalamic or neuroblastoma cultures. PKA stimulation increased binding to CRE (-101/-94) but not to CRE (-59/-52); dex or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) increased binding to GRE, a composite site flanked by a perfect and an imperfect activator protein (AP-1) site in the complementary strand. Interference was observed in the binding of CRE or GRE with nuclear extracts from cells co-incubated for 3 h with 8Br-cAMP and dex; from cells incubated for 1 h, only the binding to GRE showed interference. Rapid cross-talk of glucocorticoids with PKA signaling pathways regulating TRH transcription constitutes another example of neuroendocrine integration.

Animals↗

Effect of long-term trace element supplementation on blood trace element levels and absorption of (75Se), (54Mn) and (65Zn).

A vitamin and trace element supplement containing recommended dietary amounts or "safe and adequate" levels was given to ten healthy subjects for 12 to 35 weeks. Plasma levels of selenium and zinc, activity of glutathione peroxidase in plasma and platelets, whole blood manganese, activity of superoxide dismutase in hemolysate, activity of alkaline phosphatase in serum, iron status indices and urinary excretion of zinc and selenium were measured. A small but significant change in plasma selenium from 1.01 +/- 0.14 mumol/L to 1.08 +/- 0.10 mumol/L was observed after two weeks. However, at the end of the supplementation plasma selenium levels did not differ from the initial levels. Plasma glutathione peroxidase levels showed a similar trend and changes in glutathione peroxidase activity in platelets were also transient. A small increase in serum zinc values was observed after 30 weeks of supplementation. No significant changes were observed in the other blood and urine parameters studied. In seven of the subjects absorption of zinc, manganese and selenium was measured after 30-31 weeks of supplementation by a radionuclide technique. The absorption of selenium and manganese after long term supplementation was 30-50% lower than observed previously in non-supplemented subjects. In conclusion, present available indices of trace element status are only to a limited extent affected by 30 weeks of a doubling of the normal dietary intake.

Absorption↗

The NF-beta A-binding element, not an overlapping NF-IL-6-binding element, is required for maximal IL-1 beta gene expression.

NF-beta A is a monocyte, neutrophil, and B cell-specific nuclear protein that is involved in regulation of the IL-1 beta gene. These studies further define the functional role of NF-beta A in RAW264.7 monocytic cells by using transient transfection analysis. We showed that NF-beta A was able to activate transcription from a heterologous promoter in a distance-independent and dose-dependent manner. NF-beta A also appeared to function in a positionally independent manner within the IL-1 beta cap-site proximal (CSP) promoter. NF-beta A was required for maximal IL-1 beta gene expression directed by the upstream LPS-inducible enhancer element. Deletion of the NF-beta A-binding sequence resulted in an 80% reduction in basal reporter gene activity and an 86% reduction in LPS-inducible reporter gene activity in constructs containing only the enhancer and CSP promoter. Other regulatory elements located between the enhancer and the cap site were not able to substitute functionally for the absence of NF-beta A. Recently, other investigators have reported that IL-1 beta CSP promoter function was decreased by introducing multiple mutations within both the NF-beta A-binding sequence, and a putative overlapping NF-IL-6-binding sequence. We have found that these mutations predominantly affect NF-beta A binding. Furthermore NF-beta A, and not NF-IL-6, was required for supporting basal and LPS-inducible transcription from a minimal IL-1 beta CSP promoter (positions -58 to +11). This promoter region did not appear to direct monocyte-specific IL-1 beta gene expression because reporter constructs containing the IL-1 beta CSP promoter were also active in transiently transfected HeLa cells.

Animals↗

Evidence for a host role in regulating the activity of transposable elements in Drosophila melanogaster: the case of the persistent instability of Bari 1 elements in Charolles stock.

In most reports in which the activity of numerous Drosophila transposon families has been studied, only a subset of the families tested appears mobile. A comparison of these data shows that there are no transposons inherently more unstable than others and suggests that host factors regulate the activity of transposable elements. Consistent with this conclusion are the properties of Bari 1 elements, which are the only ones of the 14 families tested to be unstable in Charolles stock. Instability is persistent over 53 generations and appears to affect recurrent insertion sites.

Animals↗

Regulatory elements involved in Drosophila Adh gene expression are conserved in divergent species and separate elements mediate expression in different tissues.

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) is expressed in a complex temporal and spatial pattern from tandem promoters (proximal and distal) in Drosophila melanogaster, and from two closely linked genes (Adh-1 and Adh-2) in D. mulleri. The expression patterns of Adh-1 and the proximal promoter, and Adh-2 and the distal promoter are similar, but not identical. We show that the mulleri Adh genes are appropriately expressed when introduced into the melanogaster genome, indicating that the cis- and trans-acting elements which regulate the corresponding promoters are functionally equivalent in the two species. By analyzing the expression of in vitro generated mutants of the mulleri Adh locus, we define at least three regulatory regions of the mulleri Adh genes and show that different control elements mediate the expression of Adh in different tissues.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗