α-Synuclein is Prone to Interaction with the GC-Box-Like Sequence In Vitro

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 603-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai-Li Ma ◽  
Lian-Kun Song ◽  
Yu-He Yuan ◽  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Jin-Ling Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
1996 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 369-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
J M Jankowski ◽  
P D Cannon ◽  
F Van der Hoorn ◽  
L D Wasilewska ◽  
N C Wong ◽  
...  

An in vitro transcription system from the trout testis nuclei was developed to study trout protamine gene expression. The protamine promoter contains, among others, two regulatory elements: 1) a cAMP-responsive element or CRE element (TGACGTCA) which is present in position 5' to TATA box, and 2) GC box (CCGCCC) which is present in position 3' to TATA box. The removal of the CRE-binding protein by titration (by the addition of appropriate oligonucleotides to the incubation mixture) resulted in a decrease in transcription of the protamine gene. These results were confirmed by experiments in which the pure CRE-binding factor (TPBP1) was used, as well as by those where a stimulatory effect of cAMP on protamine promoter transcription was observed. On the other hand, addition of oligonucleotides containing the GC-box sequence enhanced the protamine gene transcription indicating that the protein (Sp1 like) which binds to this sequence acts as a repressor of protamine gene expression. These results confirm the previously proposed model which suggested that the GC box played a role in negative regulation of the protamine gene expression. Involvement of some other factors in this process was also discussed.


1998 ◽  
Vol 330 (3) ◽  
pp. 1469-1474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaxu WU ◽  
Johannes RUEF ◽  
N. Gadiparthi RAO ◽  
Cam PATTERSON ◽  
S. Marschall RUNGE

The mitogenic effects of thrombin are mediated by a G-protein-coupled receptor. Because the effects of thrombin are strongly influenced by the expression of its receptor, an understanding of its regulatory mechanisms is essential. To identify mechanisms of human thrombin receptor (HTR) gene regulation, a series of HTR-promoter-luciferase constructs were made and transfected into human microvascular endothelial cells for analysis. Deletion from bp -303 to -164 abolished reporter gene expression. Dimethyl sulphate treatment in vivo and DNase I footprinting in vitro demonstrated that a cluster of three GC box consensus sites was occupied, and electrophoretic mobility-shift assays established that Sp1 and Sp3 both bind to this 3ʹ GC box cluster. We mutated each of the three GC boxes individually and all three collectively within this 3ʹ cluster. Basal promoter activity was decreased to 46%, 78% and 29% of control for each of the GC boxes mutated individually, and to 6% when the three were mutated collectively. To test the individual abilities of Sp1 and Sp3 to activate or repress HTR transcription, we conducted co-transfection experiments with wild-type or mutated HTR-promoter-luciferase constructs. Co-transfection with Sp1 significantly augmented wild-type HTR promoter activity. Sp3 alone did not affect activity, and inhibited Sp1-mediated activation. Competition for shared binding sites by Sp1 and Sp3 might differentially regulate HTR expression in vascular endothelial cells.


1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 6632-6641 ◽  
Author(s):  
M C Blake ◽  
R C Jambou ◽  
A G Swick ◽  
J W Kahn ◽  
J C Azizkhan

Numerous genes contain TATAA-less promoters, and the control of transcriptional initiation in this important promoter class is not understood. We have determined that protein-DNA interactions at three of the four proximal GC box sequence elements in one such promoter, that of the hamster dihydrofolate reductase gene, control initiation and relative use of the major and minor start sites. Our results indicate that although the GC boxes are apparently equivalent with respect to factor binding, they are not equivalent with respect to function. At least two properly positioned GC boxes were required for initiation of transcription. Abolishment of DNA-protein interaction by site-specific mutation of the most proximal GC box (box I) resulted in a fivefold decrease in transcription from the major initiation site and a threefold increase in heterogeneous transcripts initiating from the vicinity of the minor start site in vitro and in vivo. Mutations that separately abolished interactions at GC boxes II and III while leaving GC box I intact affected the relative utilization of both the major and minor initiation sites as well as transcriptional efficiency of the promoter template in in vitro transcription and transient expression assays. Interaction at GC box IV when the three proximal boxes were in a wild-type configuration had no effect on transcription of the dihydrofolate reductase gene promoter. Thus, GC box interactions not only are required for efficient transcription but also regulate start site utilization in this TATAA-less promoter.


1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 3139-3147
Author(s):  
L T Pecorino ◽  
A L Darrow ◽  
S Strickland

Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) mRNA levels are high in murine brain, lower in kidney, and undetectable in liver. Differences in t-PA mRNA levels are regulated in part at the transcriptional level. Brain, kidney, and liver nuclear extracts direct regulated transcription from the murine t-PA promoter in a manner that reflects the relative levels of t-PA gene expression in these tissues in vivo. Analysis of mutants has defined two GC box motifs as important elements for regulated transcription in vitro. Upon investigation of protein-DNA binding, we detected an activity in brain extracts which was not detected in kidney or liver extracts. An Sp1-like factor also binds to this region in all three tissue types. DNA interference experiments show that the brain-enriched binding activity and the Sp1-like factor contact the same GC-rich sequences. These studies provide additional evidence that brain-enriched DNA-binding activities can interact with sequences also recognized by ubiquitous transcription factors.


1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 3139-3147 ◽  
Author(s):  
L T Pecorino ◽  
A L Darrow ◽  
S Strickland

Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) mRNA levels are high in murine brain, lower in kidney, and undetectable in liver. Differences in t-PA mRNA levels are regulated in part at the transcriptional level. Brain, kidney, and liver nuclear extracts direct regulated transcription from the murine t-PA promoter in a manner that reflects the relative levels of t-PA gene expression in these tissues in vivo. Analysis of mutants has defined two GC box motifs as important elements for regulated transcription in vitro. Upon investigation of protein-DNA binding, we detected an activity in brain extracts which was not detected in kidney or liver extracts. An Sp1-like factor also binds to this region in all three tissue types. DNA interference experiments show that the brain-enriched binding activity and the Sp1-like factor contact the same GC-rich sequences. These studies provide additional evidence that brain-enriched DNA-binding activities can interact with sequences also recognized by ubiquitous transcription factors.


1995 ◽  
Vol 181 (4) ◽  
pp. 1459-1471 ◽  
Author(s):  
K L Wright ◽  
L C White ◽  
A Kelly ◽  
S Beck ◽  
J Trowsdale ◽  
...  

Recently, four genes (TAP1, TAP2, LMP2, LMP7) involved or potentially involved in the processing and transport of major histocompatibility complex class I-associated antigen to the endoplasmic reticulum have been identified. We now report the initial characterization of the bidirectional promoter for the human transporter associated with antigen processing 1 (TAP1) and low molecular mass polypeptide 2 (LMP2) genes. These genes are divergently transcribed from a central promoter region of only 593 bp. Functional analysis using a bidirectional reporter system demonstrates the minimal 593-bp promoter is sufficient for concurrent expression in both directions. There is no TATA box homology at either end but there is a prevalence of GC boxes. Transcription is initiated at multiple sites for each gene without any of the TAP1 transcripts overlapping with the LMP2 transcripts. The region proximal to the TAP1 gene is required for maximal basal level expression of not only TAP1 but also LMP2. Furthermore, this region is necessary for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) induction of both genes. Site-specific mutations of an NF-kappa B element in the TAP1 proximal region blocked induction by TNF-alpha in both the TAP1 and LMP2 directions. An adjacent GC box was required for basal expression of both genes as well as augmenting the TNF-alpha induction of the distal LMP2 gene. In vivo genomic foot-printing of this region revealed strong protein/DNA interactions at the NF-kappa B and GC box consensus sequences. In vitro binding studies confirmed the capacity of the NF-kappa B site to bind p50/p65 and p52/p65 heterodimers and of the GC box to bind Sp1. Thus, the promoter elements proximal to the TAP1 gene play a significant role in regulating basal and induced expression of both TAP1 and LMP2. The findings presented in this report clearly link LMP2 expression with TAP1 expression and provide additional suggestive evidence linking LMP2 to class I antigen presentation.


1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 6632-6641
Author(s):  
M C Blake ◽  
R C Jambou ◽  
A G Swick ◽  
J W Kahn ◽  
J C Azizkhan

Numerous genes contain TATAA-less promoters, and the control of transcriptional initiation in this important promoter class is not understood. We have determined that protein-DNA interactions at three of the four proximal GC box sequence elements in one such promoter, that of the hamster dihydrofolate reductase gene, control initiation and relative use of the major and minor start sites. Our results indicate that although the GC boxes are apparently equivalent with respect to factor binding, they are not equivalent with respect to function. At least two properly positioned GC boxes were required for initiation of transcription. Abolishment of DNA-protein interaction by site-specific mutation of the most proximal GC box (box I) resulted in a fivefold decrease in transcription from the major initiation site and a threefold increase in heterogeneous transcripts initiating from the vicinity of the minor start site in vitro and in vivo. Mutations that separately abolished interactions at GC boxes II and III while leaving GC box I intact affected the relative utilization of both the major and minor initiation sites as well as transcriptional efficiency of the promoter template in in vitro transcription and transient expression assays. Interaction at GC box IV when the three proximal boxes were in a wild-type configuration had no effect on transcription of the dihydrofolate reductase gene promoter. Thus, GC box interactions not only are required for efficient transcription but also regulate start site utilization in this TATAA-less promoter.


Endocrinology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 150 (12) ◽  
pp. 5384-5394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiaohua Kang ◽  
Anping Chen

Abstract Elevated levels of cholesterol/low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are a risk factor for the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and its associated hepatic fibrosis. However, underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We previously reported that curcumin induced gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ and stimulated its activity, leading to the inhibition of the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the major effector cells during hepatic fibrogenesis. We recently showed that curcumin suppressed gene expression of LDL receptor in activated HSCs in vitro by repressing gene expression of the transcription factor sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2), leading to the reduction in the level of intracellular cholesterol in HSCs and to the attenuation of the stimulatory effects of LDL on HSCs activation. The current study aimed at exploring molecular mechanisms by which curcumin inhibits srebp-2 expression in HSCs. Promoter deletion assays, mutagenesis assays, and EMSAs localize a specificity protein-1 (SP-1) binding GC-box in the srebp-2 promoter, which is responsible for enhancing the promoter activity and responding to curcumin in HSCs. Curcumin suppresses gene expression of SP-1 and reduces its trans-activation activity, which are mediated by the activation of PPARγ. The inhibitory effect of curcumin on SP-1 binding to the GC-box is confirmed by chromatin immuno-precipitation. In summary, our results demonstrate that curcumin inhibits srebp-2 expression in cultured HSCs by activating PPARγ and reducing the SP-1 activity, leading to the repression of ldlr expression. These results provide novel insights into molecular mechanisms by which curcumin inhibits LDL-induced HSC activation.


Author(s):  
P.L. Moore

Previous freeze fracture results on the intact giant, amoeba Chaos carolinensis indicated the presence of a fibrillar arrangement of filaments within the cytoplasm. A complete interpretation of the three dimensional ultrastructure of these structures, and their possible role in amoeboid movement was not possible, since comparable results could not be obtained with conventional fixation of intact amoebae. Progress in interpreting the freeze fracture images of amoebae required a more thorough understanding of the different types of filaments present in amoebae, and of the ways in which they could be organized while remaining functional.The recent development of a calcium sensitive, demembranated, amoeboid model of Chaos carolinensis has made it possible to achieve a better understanding of such functional arrangements of amoeboid filaments. In these models the motility of demembranated cytoplasm can be controlled in vitro, and the chemical conditions necessary for contractility, and cytoplasmic streaming can be investigated. It is clear from these studies that “fibrils” exist in amoeboid models, and that they are capable of contracting along their length under conditions similar to those which cause contraction in vertebrate muscles.


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