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Dominant negative mutant of c-Jun inhibits NF-AT transcriptional activity and prevents IL-2 gene transcription.

Expression of the transcription complex AP-1, composed of Jun and Fos family members, can be induced by a variety of stimuli. In lymphocytes, AP-1 transcriptional activity increases after TCR ligation and plays an important role in T cell activation events such as lymphokine secretion. To explore the requirements for AP-1 in IL-2 production, the AP-1 complex was targeted with a dominant negative mutant c-Jun protein, TAM-67, from which the transactivation domain has been deleted. In transient transfections of Jurkat cells, TAM-67 efficiently inhibited endogenous AP-1 transcriptional activity and blocked the activity of a reporter construct containing the 5' regulatory region of the IL-2 gene. TAM-67 also inhibited the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor-AT (NF-AT), whereas the NF-kappa B, NF-IL-2A, and the proximal TRE-like sites were relatively unaffected. The use of this dominant negative transcription factor suggests that: 1) transactivation-defective nuclear factors represent a novel approach to study the functional consequences of nuclear protein interactions on gene transcription; 2) the proximal TRE-like site from the IL-2 promoter is different from the consensus TRE; and 3) AP-1 plays an important role in the transcriptional activation mediated by the NF-AT binding complex.

Base Sequence

Pax-3 contains domains for transcription activation and transcription inhibition.

Pax-3 is a member of the Pax family of transcription factors involved in transcriptional control events during embryonic development. Here we report a functional dissection of the Pax-3 protein and describe the protein domains which are responsible for different activities. A transcription inhibition activity is located in the first 90 N-terminal amino acids and includes part of the paired domain. Furthermore, the C terminus of Pax-3 is able to confer transcriptional activation of basal promoters. Pax-3 can utilize both transcription modulating functions and activates transcription over a narrow range of protein concentration in the presence of promoter elements containing functional binding sites.

Amino Acid Sequence

Sarkosyl defines three intermediate steps in transcription initiation by RNA polymerase III: application to stimulation of transcription by E1A.

We used Sarkosyl to analyze steps along the pathway of transcription initiation by RNA polymerase III. Sarkosyl (0.015%) inhibited transcription when present prior to incubation of RNA polymerase III, TFIIIB, and TFIIIC with the VAI gene, whereas it had no detectable effect on initiation or reinitiation of transcription when added subsequently. The formation of the corresponding 0.015% Sarkosyl-resistant complex required the presence of TFIIIC, TFIIIB, and RNA polymerase III but not nucleoside triphosphates. The addition of 0.05% Sarkosyl after this early step selectively inhibited a later step in the preinitiation pathway, allowing a single round of transcription after nucleoside triphosphate addition but blocking subsequent rounds of initiation. This step occurred prior to initiation because nucleoside triphosphates were not required for the formation of the corresponding 0.05% Sarkosyl-resistant complex. These observations provided a means to distinguish effects of regulatory factors on different steps in promoter activation and function. Using 0.05% Sarkosyl to limit reinitiation, we determined that the E1A-mediated stimulation of transcription by RNA polymerase III resulted from an increase in the number of active transcription complexes.

Adenovirus Early Proteins

Analysis of the molecular mechanisms for the species-specific transcription of Drosophila and human tRNA gene transcription components.

The transcription of eucaryotic tRNA genes requires two factors IIIB and IIIC, in addition to RNA polymerase III, to reconstitute this process in vitro. We have examined the functional exchangeability of these components from Drosophila and human systems. The reconstitution of heterologous IIIB and IIIC components demonstrated that neither factor will functionally substitute for the homologous components to activate tRNA gene transcription. The addition of the heterologous Drosophila factors to HeLa transcription assays causes an inhibition of RNA synthesis that is dependent upon the order of addition of these proteins to the DNA template. Thus, it appears that tRNA gene transcription in these systems is species-specific. We have further analyzed the reason for the apparent incompatibilities of these components by the use of stable complex formation assays. We find that human HeLa IIIB and Drosophila IIIC are unable to form stably associated complexes with a tRNA gene template, whereas the Drosophila IIIB and HeLa IIIC do form stable but nonproductive complexes. These results demonstrate that specific IIIC-IIIB interactions are critical in the formation of productive transcription complexes and are responsible for the observed species specificity of Drosophila and human tRNA gene transcription.

Animals

Expression of the clustered mitochondrial tRNA genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: transcription and processing of transcripts.

The transcripts of a cluster of eight tRNA genes localized in the Cap-oxiI region of the mitochondrial genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were investigated by hybridization of gene-specific probes on Northern blots of mitochondrial RNA and by S1 mapping of the 5' termini of the transcripts. Two rho- mutants that lack mature tRNA species and accumulate precursors have been used to detect transcripts that are not detectable in wild-type (w.t.) mitochondria. The results have shown the existence of polygenic transcripts carrying at least 5-7 tRNA sequences, both in w.t. and in rho- strains. The existence of several alternative processing pathways, which involve cleavage at the 3' and 5' ends of the tRNA sequences and in the long intergenic regions (possibly at GC clusters), is suggested. Cleavage at the 5' ends of tRNA sequences is defective in the mutant strains. The transcripts of the genes for tRNAThrACN and tRNACys (the tRNA genes immediately downstream from the 21S rRNA gene) have been analyzed; the possibility that these species represent primary transcripts is considered, and potential sites for initiation of transcription of the clustered tRNA genes are discussed.

Base Sequence

Hepatoma variants (C2) are defective for transcriptional and post-transcriptional actions from both endogenous and viral genomes.

A series of rat hepatoma cell lines was infected with a recombinant adenovirus bearing the rat albumin promoter. Transcription from this promoter was scored directly and was highest in FAO, the differentiated parent, undetectable in C2, a cell variant that has lost almost all hepatocytic characteristics, and high again in C2-Rev7, a 'revertant' cell line derived from C2 that has regained the ability to produce many proteins characteristic of hepatocytes. The endogenous albumin gene is not transcribed in C2 cells, and at a very low rate in C2-Rev7 cells, which accumulate endogenous albumin mRNA at close to normal amounts. Thus the C2-Rev7 'recovery' of albumin mRNA concentration for the endogenous gene is based mainly on post-transcriptional events while the ability of C2-Rev7 to transcribe the albumin promoter in the viral genome is based on a transcriptional factor(s). We also showed that the C2 phenotype included post-transcriptional effects for other genes: transcription of phenylalanine hydroxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA sequences continue in C2 at rates equivalent to FAO but these C2 cells have no mRNA for these proteins while FAO does. In addition, C2 cells transcribed certain early adenovirus transcription units (E2 and 4) as well as FAO cells but accumulated E2 mRNAs poorly if at all. The changes that led to the C2-Rev7 cell line produced a return to normal of the ability to accumulate these viral mRNAs. Thus a major event in the C2 to C2-Rev7 transition involves post-transcriptional processes as well as the ability to transcribe the albumin promoter positioned in the virus genome.

Adenoviridae

Yeast class III gene transcription factors and homologous RNA polymerase III form ternary transcription complexes stable to disruption by N-lauroyl-sarcosine (sarcosyl).

Yeast Class III gene transcription factors and RNA polymerase III were used to form ternary transcription complexes on a tRNASer gene in vitro under UTP-limiting transcription conditions. These ternary transcription complexes were composed of template DNA, proteins, and RNA. We have shown that the RNAs contained in these complexes represented specifically initiated nascent pre-tRNASer transcripts. These nascent RNAs could be very efficiently elongated to full-length pre-tRNASer molecules, even in the presence of the ionic detergent sarcosyl. Partial purification (greater than 100-fold) of these sarcosyl-resistant ternary transcription complexes could be achieved in a single step via sucrose gradient sedimentation. Comparable sarcosyl-resistant ternary transcription complexes could not be formed using purified yeast RNA polymerase III as the only protein component of the complex.

Base Sequence

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional analysis of peroxisomal protein encoding genes from rat treated with an hypolipemic agent, ciprofibrate. Effect of an intermittent treatment and influence of obesity.

The treatment of rats with ciprofibrate, a potent peroxisome proliferator, led to increased levels of the peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO) mRNA. How ciprofibrate functions to elevate ACO mRNA is not known. To help determine the mechanism of ciprofibrate action, in vitro transcription assays were performed. It was determined that ciprofibrate was responsible for a 3.5-fold stimulation of the rate of ACO transcription within 24 hr of ingestion. It was also observed that the transcription rate stimulation following a 2-week ciprofibrate treatment of Wistar rats was maintained following 4 weeks of ciprofibrate withdrawal. Re-introduction of the drug after the 4-week pause resulted in greater stimulation than was initially observed. The results demonstrate that the effect of ciprofibrate is rapid and persists at least twice as long as the initial treatment period. In Zucker rats, both lean and obese, ACO mRNA levels were examined following 2 weeks of ciprofibrate treatment (1 or 3 mg/kg body weight/day). The presence of increased blood levels of triglycerides did not increase ciprofibrate action on transcription, although basal levels of transcription of peroxisomal enzymes were higher in obese rats. The increase in the ACO mRNA level was greater than the transcription rate stimulation suggesting a post-transcriptional regulation.

Acyl-CoA Oxidase

Transcription of E. coli and Euglena chloroplast tRNA gene clusters and processing of polycistronic transcripts in a HeLa cell-free system.

The transcription of cloned tRNA genes that are clustered in the Escherichia coli and Euglena gracilis chloroplast genome was studied in a HeLa cell-free extract. RNA polymerase III transcribes the tRNA gene clusters into polycistronic primary transcripts, consisting of pre-tRNAVal-tRNAAsn-tRNAArg and pre-tRNAAsp-tRNATrp transcribed from the Euglena chloroplast and E. coli tRNA locus, respectively. A UV5-lac promoter in the 5'-flanking sequence of the E. coli tRNA gene cluster can be removed without effect on transcription initiation frequency. During transcription of the tRNA gene clusters, RNA polymerase III initiates predominantly, if not solely, with the first tRNA gene. Upon removal of the first tRNA gene, RNA polymerase III initiates transcription with the following tRNA gene. The primary transcripts are subsequently processed to mature tRNAs. RNA fingerprint analysis and reincubation experiments were used to establish the steps of tRNA maturation of the pre-tRNAVal-tRNAAsn-tRNAArg. The 3' trailer is processed prior to the removal of 5' leader and before cleavage of the primary transcript in the spacer sequences. The pre-tRNAs are then processed to mature tRNA molecules.

Cell-Free System

Purified octamer binding transcription factors stimulate RNA polymerase III--mediated transcription of the 7SK RNA gene.

We have analyzed the upstream promoter of the human 7SK RNA gene to determine which protein factors are involved in the transcription of this gene by RNA polymerase III. Using a reconstituted in vitro system, we show directly that octamer binding transcription factors (OTFs) are required for efficient transcription and that they interact with a series of nonconsensus OTF binding sites between positions -70 and -240. The same purified factors that stimulate RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription of the histone H2b gene (OTF-1) and an immunoglobulin light chain gene (OTF-2) also stimulate 7SK transcription by RNA polymerase III. Moreover, OTF-dependent stimulation requires a sequence between positions -48 and -65 that is homologous to the proximal sequence element of the class II snRNA genes. Our findings indicate that some transcription factors are utilized in the transcription of both class II and class III genes.

Base Sequence

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional inhibition of albumin gene expression by estrogen in Xenopus liver.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the suppression of albumin mRNA by estrogen in Xenopus liver. A single dose of estradiol rapidly suppressed albumin mRNA to 30% of the control level. Albumin mRNA remained at this new steady-state level for 9 days, after which it returned to the control level. Transcription 'run-on' experiments in isolated liver nuclei demonstrated a transient decrease of 60-90% in albumin transcription after 2-6 h and approached constitutive transcription by 12 h. Albumin gene transcription then remained constant for the following 12 days. Prolonged and enhanced suppression of albumin mRNA was observed in animals treated repeatedly with estrogen for 12 days. In these animals, albumin gene transcription was decreased 80-90% from the constitutive control level. These data indicate that albumin mRNA is suppressed by both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms.

Albumins

Function of transcription termination factor rho in a model transcription system using synthetic deoxyribonucleic acid as template.

The function of a transcription termination factor, rho, has been studied by using several synthetic DNAs with simple repetitive base sequences as templates for transcription. rho actually exhibits various effects on transcription depending on the base sequence of the template: (1) rho terminates poly(A) synthesis with poly(dA) x poly(dT), poly(dT), or oligo(dT), leading to release of RNA from RNA polymerase. rho also inhibits the synthesis of other homoribopolymers such as poly(U) directed by poly(dA) x poly(dT) and poly(C) and poly(I) directed by poly(dG) x poly(dC), presumably by a similar mechanism. (2) rho inhibits the synthesis of another homoribopolymer, poly(G), directed by poly(dG) x poly(dC) at the step of initiation rather than propagation of transcription. (3) rho stimulates rather than inhibits the synthesis of poly(A-C) and poly(G-U) directed by poly[d(A-C)] x poly[d(G-T)], presumably by enhancing the dissociation of transcription complexes. (4) rho has no influence on the synthesis of poly(A-U) and poly(G-C) directed by poly[d(A-T)] and poly[d(G-C)], respectively. In the first case, but not otherwise, the effect of rho is coupled with its RNA-dependent nucleosidetriphosphate phosphohydrolase activity, as is rho-mediated transcription termination on natural templates. The implication of these results is discussed in reference to the current view that rho acts on transcription complexes that have ceased elongation and causes release of RNA in an energy-requiring reaction.

Base Sequence

The JUN oncoprotein, a vertebrate transcription factor, activates transcription in yeast.

Transcriptional activation of RNA polymerase II in eukaryotic organisms ranging from yeasts to mammals has many common features such as enhancer elements, TATA elements, and activator proteins that bind specifically to promoter DNA. The JUN oncoprotein, which causes sarcomas in chickens, shows significant homology to the DNA-binding domain of GCN4, a yeast protein that stimulates transcription of the amino acid biosynthetic genes. The GCN4 and JUN proteins bind the same DNA sequences, consensus ATGA(C/G)TCAT, even though the DNA-binding domains are only 45% identical in amino acid sequence. The JUN protein almost certainly represents the oncogenic version of the normal AP-1 transcription factor, suggesting an evolutionary relationship between yeast and vertebrate activator proteins. Here, I demonstrate that JUN efficiently activates transcription in yeast either through its own or a heterologous DNA-binding domain. As is the case for yeast activator proteins, transcriptional stimulation by JUN requires an acidic activation region distinct from the DNA-binding domain. The functional interchangeability between yeast and vertebrate transcription factors strongly suggests a basic similarity in the molecular mechanism of eukaryotic transcriptional activation.

Amino Acid Sequence

Post-transcriptional regulation of human interleukin-2 gene expression at processing of precursor transcripts.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) regulates the clonal expansion of activated T cells and is produced in limited amounts during an immune response. Mitogenic induction of human IL-2 gene expression elicits a transient wave of unstable mRNA. We show here that transcription continues unabated during and well beyond the time when the wave is subsiding, yet few, if any, new mRNA molecules are generated once the wave has reached its maximum. Instead, IL-2 precursor transcripts accumulate, becoming the majority of expressed IL-2 RNA molecules. The flow of precursor transcripts into mature mRNA becomes inhibited in the course of induction. When translation is blocked (e.g. by cycloheximide), expression of IL-2 mRNA can be superinduced by 2 orders of magnitude. This superinduction is completely dependent upon transcription, yet is not accompanied by any significant increase in the rate of primary transcription or in mRNA stability. Instead, the processing of nuclear IL-2 precursor transcripts is greatly facilitated, resulting in pronounced superinduction of cytoplasmic mRNA. Once its transcription has been induced, therefore, expression of the IL-2 gene is down-regulated extensively at the level of precursor RNA processing.

Cells, Cultured

Regulation of transcription from the human muscle phosphofructokinase P2 promoter by the Sp1 transcription factor.

The human muscle phosphofructokinase (HPFKM) p2 promoter contains sequence elements that are similar to the Sp1 transcription factor binding site consensus sequence. DNase I footprinting identified four regions of the HPFKM p2 promoter that bound purified Sp1. Gel retardation analysis using HeLa S3 nuclear extracts and purified Sp1 protein demonstrated that each of the four recognition elements bound the Sp1 transcription factor. The function of the HPFKM p2 promoter elements was examined in transient transfection assays using these binding sites cloned into a minimal promoter element. In Drosophila Schneider line-2 cells, each of these regulatory regions trans-activated transcription from a minimal promoter element in response to exogenously expressed Sp1. In addition, transcription from the HPFKM p2 promoter was shown to be trans-activated by exogenously expressed Sp1 in Drosophila Schneider line-2 cells. Deletion analysis of the HPFKM p2 promoter demonstrated that the promoter region between -66 and +16 was sufficient to confer sp1 responsiveness. This promoter region includes one of the regulatory elements footprinted by the purified Sp1 transcription factor and mediates the majority of the transcriptional activity from the HPFKM p2 promoter in the human cervical carcinoma cell line HeLa S3. This demonstrates that the HPFKM p2 promoter contains four functional Sp1 binding sites that may contribute to the level of transcription from this promoter in a variety of cell types.

Base Sequence

Transcriptional interference between the EBV transcription factors EB1 and R: both DNA-binding and activation domains of EB1 are required.

The switch from latency to a productive infection in EBV-infected B cells is linked to the expression of two viral sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factors called EB1 and R. EB1 shares sequence homologies with the bZIP family of proteins in the basic region required for specific DNA interaction. Here, we provide evidence that EB1 and R can synergistically activate specific transcription, and that overexpressed, unbound EB1, represses the R-induced transcription ('squelching'). In order to identify the EB1 domains involved in transcriptional activation, transcriptional synergy and transcriptional repression, we performed extensive mutagenesis of the EB1 protein. Results show that five segments (region 1 to region 5), localized at the N-terminus of EB1 exhibit characteristics of activating domains, since they are required for full transcriptional activity, without obvious role in DNA-binding, or the nuclear localization. Two domains rich in basic amino-acids are required for the nuclear localization of EB1. One domain is within the basic region B, also necessary for specific and stable interaction between EB1 and its cognate DNA sequences. It is also shown that the 'activation' domain, and more surprisingly the DNA-binding domain of EB1, may interact with a factor(s), essential for R-induced activation, and probably required for synergy between EB1 and R.

Amino Acid Sequence

Regulation of collagenase gene expression by IL-1 beta requires transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms.

Interleukin-1 beta is believed to contribute to the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis by activating collagenase gene expression. We have used a cell culture model of rabbit synovial fibroblasts to examine the molecular mechanisms of IL-1 beta-mediated collagenase gene expression. Stimulation of rabbit synovial fibroblasts with 10 ng/ml recombinant human IL-1 beta resulted in a 20-fold increase in collagenase mRNA by 12 h. Transient transfection studies using collagenase promoter-CAT constructs demonstrated that proximal sequences responded poorly to IL-1 beta, possibly due to insufficient activation of AP-1 by this cytokine. More distal sequences were required for IL-1 beta responsiveness, with a 4700 bp construct showing approximately 5-fold induction above control. To examine post-transcriptional mechanisms, transcript from a human collagenase cDNA was constitutively produced by the simian virus 40 early promoter. IL-1 beta stabilized the constitutively expressed human transcript. Furthermore, mutation of the ATTTA motifs in the 3' untranslated region of the human gene also stabilized the transcript. Finally, the rabbit collagenase 3' untranslated region destabilized a constitutively transcribed chloramphenicol acetyltransferase transcript. These data indicate that in addition to activating transcription, IL-1 beta increases collagenase transcript stability by reversing the destabilizing effects of sequences in the 3' untranslated region.

Animals

Single cell assay of a transcription factor reveals a threshold in transcription activated by signals emanating from the T-cell antigen receptor.

Stimulation of T lymphocytes through their antigen receptor leads to the appearance of several transcription factors, including NF-AT and NF-kappa B, which are involved in regulating genes required for immunologic activation. To investigate the activity of a single transcription factor in individual viable cells, we have applied an assay that uses the fluorescence-activated cell sorter to quantitate beta-galactosidase (beta-gal). We have analyzed the distribution of NF-AT transcriptional activity among T cells undergoing activation by using a construct in which three tandem copies of the NF-AT-binding site directs transcription of the lacZ gene. Unexpectedly, stimulation of cloned stably transfected Jurkat T cells leads to a bimodal pattern of beta-gal expression in which some cells express no beta-gal and others express high levels. This expression pattern cannot be accounted for by cell-cycle position or heritable variation. Further results, in which beta-gal activity is correlated with NF-AT-binding activity, indicate that the concentration of NF-AT must exceed a critical threshold before transcription initiates. This threshold likely reflects the NF-AT concentration-dependent assembly of transcription complexes at the promoter. Similar constructs controlled by NF-kappa B or the entire interleukin-2 enhancer show bimodal expression patterns during induction, suggesting that thresholds set by the concentration of transcription factors may be a common property of inducible genes.

Cell Cycle