scholarly journals Coding elements in exons 2 and 3 target c-myc mRNA downregulation during myogenic differentiation.

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 2698-2707 ◽  
Author(s):  
N M Yeilding ◽  
W M Lee
Keyword(s):  
Myogenic Differentiation ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
C2c12 Cells ◽  
Regulatory Function ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Globin Mrna ◽  
Exon 2 ◽  
Coding Sequences

Downregulation in expression of the c-myc proto-oncogene is an early molecular event in differentiation of murine C2C12 myoblasts into multinucleated myotubes. During differentiation, levels of c-myc mRNA decrease 3- to 10-fold despite a lack of change in its transcription rate. To identify cis-acting elements that target c-myc mRNA for downregulation during myogenesis, we stably transfected C2C12 cells with mutant myc genes or chimeric genes in which various myc sequences were fused to the human beta-globin gene or to the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. Deletion of coding sequences from myc exon 2 or exon 3 abolished downregulation of myc mRNA during myogenic differentiation, while deletion of introns or sequences in the 5' or 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) did not, demonstrating that coding elements in both exons 2 and 3 are necessary for myc mRNA downregulation. Fusion of coding sequences from either myc exon 2 or 3 to beta-globin mRNA conferred downregulation onto the chimeric mRNA, while fusion of myc 3' UTR sequences or coding sequences from CAT or ribosomal protein L32 did not, demonstrating that coding elements in myc exons 2 and 3 specifically confer downregulation. These results present the apparent paradox that coding elements in either myc exon 2 or myc exon 3 are sufficient to confer downregulation onto beta-globin mRNA, but neither element alone was sufficient for myc mRNA downregulation, suggesting that some feature of beta-globin mRNA may potentiate the regulatory properties of myc exons 2 and 3. A similar regulatory function is not shared by all mRNAs because fusion of either myc exon 2 or myc exon 3 to CAT mRNA did not confer downregulation onto the chimeric mRNA, but fusion of the two elements together did. We conclude from these results that two myc regulatory elements, one exon 2 and one in exon 3, are required for myc mRNA downregulation. Finally, using a highly sensitive and specific PCR-based assay for comparing mRNA levels, we demonstrated that the downregulation mediated by myc exons 2 and 3 results in a decrease in cytoplasmic mRNA levels, but not nuclear mRNA levels, indicating that regulation is a postnuclear event.

Polyomavirus enhancer contains multiple redundant sequence elements that activate both DNA replication and gene expression

1985 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 649-658
Author(s):  
G M Veldman ◽  
S Lupton ◽  
R Kamen
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Transcriptional Enhancer ◽  
Globin Mrna ◽  
Enhancer Region ◽  
Sequence Elements ◽  
Multiple Copies ◽  
A Site

Sequences that comprise the 244-base-pair polyomavirus enhancer region are also required in cis for viral DNA replication (Tyndall et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 9:6231-6250, 1981). We have studied the relationship between the sequences that activate replication and those that enhance transcription in two ways. One approach, recently described by de Villiers et al. (Nature [London], 312:242-246, 1984), in which the polyomavirus enhancer region was replaced with other viral or cellular transcriptional enhancers suggested that an enhancer function is required for polyomavirus DNA replication. The other approach, described in this paper, was to analyze a series of deletion mutants that functionally dissect the enhancer region and enabled us to localize four sequence elements in this region that are involved in the activation of replication. These elements, which have little sequence homology, are functionally redundant. Element A (nucleotides 5108 through 5130) was synthesized as a 26-mer with XhoI sticky ends, and one or more copies were introduced into a plasmid containing the origin of replication, but lacking the enhancer region. Whereas one copy of the 26-mer activated replication only to 2 to 5% of the wild-type level, two copies inserted in either orientation completely restored replication. We found that multiple copies of the 26-mer were also active as a transcriptional enhancer by measuring the beta-globin mRNA levels expressed from a plasmid that contained either the polyomavirus enhancer or one or more copies of the 26-mer inserted in a site 3' to the beta-globin gene. We observed a correlation between the number of inserted 26-mers and the level of beta-globin RNA expression.

scholarly journals Diagnosis of thalassemia using cDNA amplification of circulating erythroid cell mRNA with the polymerase chain reaction [published erratum appears in Blood 1992 Jun 15;79(12):3397]

Blood ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 78 (9) ◽  
pp. 2433-2437 ◽  
Author(s):  
SZ Huang ◽  
GP Rodgers ◽  
FY Zeng ◽  
YT Zeng ◽  
AN Schechter
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Erythroid Cell ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Globin Mrna ◽  
Gamma Globin ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Alpha Beta

Abstract We have developed a technique to diagnose the alpha- and beta- thalassemia (thal) syndromes using the polymerase chain reaction to amplify cDNA copies of circulating erythroid cell messenger RNA (mRNA) so as to quantitate the relative amounts of alpha-, beta-, and gamma- globin mRNA contained therein. Quantitation, performed by scintillation counting of 32P-dCTP incorporated into specific globin cDNA bands, showed ratios of alpha/beta-globin mRNA greater than 10-fold and greater than fivefold increased in patients with beta 0- and beta (+)- thal, respectively, as well as a relative increase in gamma-globin mRNA levels. Conversely, patients with alpha-thalassemia showed a decreased ratio of alpha/beta-globin mRNA proportional to the number of alpha- globin genes deleted. This methodology of ascertaining ratios of globin mRNA species provides a new, simplified approach toward the diagnosis of thalassemia syndromes, and may be of value in other studies of globin gene expression at the transcription level.

scholarly journals The Human β Globin Locus Introduced by YAC Transfer Exhibits a Specific and Reproducible Pattern of Developmental Regulation in Transgenic Mice

Blood ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 90 (11) ◽  
pp. 4602-4609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanna Porcu ◽  
Michael Kitamura ◽  
Ewa Witkowska ◽  
Zemin Zhang ◽  
Annick Mutero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Developmental Regulation ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Regulatory Sequences ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Globin Genes ◽  
Globin Mrna ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Artificial Chromosomes

Abstract The human β globin locus spans an 80-kb chromosomal region encompassing both the five expressed globin genes and the cis-acting elements that direct their stage-specific expression during ontogeny. Sequences proximal to the genes and in the locus control region, 60 kb upstream of the adult β globin gene, are required for developmental regulation. Transgenic studies have shown that altering the structural organization of the locus disrupts the normal pattern of globin gene regulation. Procedures for introducing yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) containing large genetic loci now make it possible to define the sequences required for stage-restricted gene expression in constructs that preserve the integrity of the β globin locus. We demonstrate that independent YAC transgenic lines exhibit remarkably similar patterns of globin gene expression during development. The switch from γ to β globin predominant expression occurs between day 11.5 and 12.5 of gestation, with no more than twofold differences in human β globin mRNA levels between lines. Human β globin mRNA levels were twofold to fourfold lower than that of mouse βmaj, revealing potentially significant differences in the regulatory sequences of the two loci. These findings provide an important basis for studying regulatory elements within the β globin locus.

scholarly journals The Human β Globin Locus Introduced by YAC Transfer Exhibits a Specific and Reproducible Pattern of Developmental Regulation in Transgenic Mice

Blood ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 90 (11) ◽  
pp. 4602-4609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanna Porcu ◽  
Michael Kitamura ◽  
Ewa Witkowska ◽  
Zemin Zhang ◽  
Annick Mutero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Developmental Regulation ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Regulatory Sequences ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Globin Genes ◽  
Globin Mrna ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Artificial Chromosomes

The human β globin locus spans an 80-kb chromosomal region encompassing both the five expressed globin genes and the cis-acting elements that direct their stage-specific expression during ontogeny. Sequences proximal to the genes and in the locus control region, 60 kb upstream of the adult β globin gene, are required for developmental regulation. Transgenic studies have shown that altering the structural organization of the locus disrupts the normal pattern of globin gene regulation. Procedures for introducing yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) containing large genetic loci now make it possible to define the sequences required for stage-restricted gene expression in constructs that preserve the integrity of the β globin locus. We demonstrate that independent YAC transgenic lines exhibit remarkably similar patterns of globin gene expression during development. The switch from γ to β globin predominant expression occurs between day 11.5 and 12.5 of gestation, with no more than twofold differences in human β globin mRNA levels between lines. Human β globin mRNA levels were twofold to fourfold lower than that of mouse βmaj, revealing potentially significant differences in the regulatory sequences of the two loci. These findings provide an important basis for studying regulatory elements within the β globin locus.

scholarly journals Polyomavirus enhancer contains multiple redundant sequence elements that activate both DNA replication and gene expression.

1985 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 649-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
G M Veldman ◽  
S Lupton ◽  
R Kamen
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Transcriptional Enhancer ◽  
Globin Mrna ◽  
Enhancer Region ◽  
Sequence Elements ◽  
Multiple Copies ◽  
A Site

Sequences that comprise the 244-base-pair polyomavirus enhancer region are also required in cis for viral DNA replication (Tyndall et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 9:6231-6250, 1981). We have studied the relationship between the sequences that activate replication and those that enhance transcription in two ways. One approach, recently described by de Villiers et al. (Nature [London], 312:242-246, 1984), in which the polyomavirus enhancer region was replaced with other viral or cellular transcriptional enhancers suggested that an enhancer function is required for polyomavirus DNA replication. The other approach, described in this paper, was to analyze a series of deletion mutants that functionally dissect the enhancer region and enabled us to localize four sequence elements in this region that are involved in the activation of replication. These elements, which have little sequence homology, are functionally redundant. Element A (nucleotides 5108 through 5130) was synthesized as a 26-mer with XhoI sticky ends, and one or more copies were introduced into a plasmid containing the origin of replication, but lacking the enhancer region. Whereas one copy of the 26-mer activated replication only to 2 to 5% of the wild-type level, two copies inserted in either orientation completely restored replication. We found that multiple copies of the 26-mer were also active as a transcriptional enhancer by measuring the beta-globin mRNA levels expressed from a plasmid that contained either the polyomavirus enhancer or one or more copies of the 26-mer inserted in a site 3' to the beta-globin gene. We observed a correlation between the number of inserted 26-mers and the level of beta-globin RNA expression.

scholarly journals Diagnosis of thalassemia using cDNA amplification of circulating erythroid cell mRNA with the polymerase chain reaction [published erratum appears in Blood 1992 Jun 15;79(12):3397]

Blood ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 78 (9) ◽  
pp. 2433-2437
Author(s):  
SZ Huang ◽  
GP Rodgers ◽  
FY Zeng ◽  
YT Zeng ◽  
AN Schechter
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Erythroid Cell ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Globin Mrna ◽  
Gamma Globin ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Alpha Beta

We have developed a technique to diagnose the alpha- and beta- thalassemia (thal) syndromes using the polymerase chain reaction to amplify cDNA copies of circulating erythroid cell messenger RNA (mRNA) so as to quantitate the relative amounts of alpha-, beta-, and gamma- globin mRNA contained therein. Quantitation, performed by scintillation counting of 32P-dCTP incorporated into specific globin cDNA bands, showed ratios of alpha/beta-globin mRNA greater than 10-fold and greater than fivefold increased in patients with beta 0- and beta (+)- thal, respectively, as well as a relative increase in gamma-globin mRNA levels. Conversely, patients with alpha-thalassemia showed a decreased ratio of alpha/beta-globin mRNA proportional to the number of alpha- globin genes deleted. This methodology of ascertaining ratios of globin mRNA species provides a new, simplified approach toward the diagnosis of thalassemia syndromes, and may be of value in other studies of globin gene expression at the transcription level.

scholarly journals Identification of sequences in c-myc mRNA that regulate its steady-state levels.

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 3511-3522 ◽  
Author(s):  
N M Yeilding ◽  
M T Rehman ◽  
W M Lee
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Cell Metabolism ◽  
C2c12 Cells ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Globin Mrna ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Steady State Levels

The level of cellular myc proto-oncogene expression is rapidly regulated in response to environmental signals and influences cell proliferation and differentiation. Regulation is dependent on the fast turnover of c-myc mRNA, which enables cells to rapidly alter c-myc mRNA levels. Efforts to identify elements in myc mRNA responsible for its instability have used a variety of approaches, all of which require manipulations that perturb normal cell metabolism. These various approaches have implicated different regions of the mRNA and have led to a lack of consensus over which regions actually dictate rapid turnover and low steady-state levels of c-myc mRNA. To identify these regions by an approach that does not perturb cell metabolism acutely and that directly assesses the effect of a c-myc mRNA region on the steady-state levels of c-myc mRNA, we developed an assay using reverse transcription and PCR to compare the steady-state levels of human myc mRNAs transcribed from two similarly constructed myc genes transiently cotransfected into proliferating C2C12 myoblasts. Deletion mutations were introduced into myc genes, and the levels of their mRNAs were compared with that of a near-normal, reference myc mRNA. Deletion of most of the myc 3' untranslated region (UTR) raised myc mRNA levels, while deletion of sequences in the myc 5' UTR (most of exon 1), exon 2, or the protein-coding region of exon 3 did not, thus demonstrating that the 3' UTR is responsible for keeping myc mRNA levels low. Using a similar reverse transcription-PCR assay for comparing the steady-state levels of two beta-globin-myc fusion mRNAs, we showed that fusion of the myc 3' UTR lowers globin mRNA levels by destabilizing beta-globin mRNA. Surprisingly, fusion of the protein-coding region of myc exon 3 also lowered globin mRNA steady-state levels. Investigating the possibility that exon 3 coding sequences may play some other role in regulating c-myc mRNA turnover, we demonstrated that these sequences, but not myc 3' UTR sequences, are necessary for the normal posttranscriptional downregulation of c-myc mRNA during myoblast differentiation. We conclude that, while two elements within c-myc mRNA can act as instability determinants in a heterologous context, only the instability element in the 3' UTR regulates its steady-state levels in proliferating C2C12 cells.

scholarly journals Fast skeletal muscle-specific expression of a quail troponin I gene in transgenic mice.

1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 5072-5079 ◽  
Author(s):  
P L Hallauer ◽  
K E Hastings ◽  
A C Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Troponin I ◽  
Fiber Type ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Evolutionary Divergence ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Fast Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Exon 2

We have produced seven lines of transgenic mice carrying the quail gene encoding the fast skeletal muscle-specific isoform of troponin I (TnIf). The quail DNA included the entire TnIf gene, 530 base pairs of 5'-flanking DNA, and 1.5 kilobase pairs of 3'-flanking DNA. In all seven transgenic lines, normally initiated and processed quail TnIf mRNA was expressed in skeletal muscle, where it accumulated to levels comparable to that in quail muscle. Moreover, in the three lines tested, quail TnIf mRNA levels were manyfold higher in a fast skeletal muscle (gastrocnemius) than in a slow skeletal muscle (soleus). We conclude that the cellular mechanisms directing muscle fiber type-specific TnIf gene expression are mediated by cis-regulatory elements present on the introduced quail DNA fragment and that they control TnIf expression by affecting the accumulation of TnIf mRNA. These elements have been functionally conserved since the evolutionary divergence of birds and mammals, despite the major physiological and morphological differences existing between avian (tonic) and mammalian (twitch) slow muscles. In lines of transgenic mice carrying multiple tandemly repeated copies of the transgene, an aberrant quail TnIf transcript (differing from normal TnIf mRNA upstream of exon 2) also accumulated in certain tissues, particularly lung, brain, spleen, and heart tissues. However, this aberrant transcript was not detected in a transgenic line which carries only a single copy of the quail gene.

Upstream G gamma-globin and downstream beta-globin sequences required for stage-specific expression in transgenic mice

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 4024-4029
Author(s):  
M Trudel ◽  
J Magram ◽  
L Bruckner ◽  
F Costantini
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Globin Genes ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Erythroid Cells ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Beta Globin Gene ◽  
Gamma Globin

The human G gamma-globin and beta-globin genes are expressed in erythroid cells at different stages of human development, and previous studies have shown that the two cloned genes are also expressed in a differential stage-specific manner in transgenic mice. The G gamma-globin gene is expressed only in murine embryonic erythroid cells, while the beta-globin gene is active only at the fetal and adult stages. In this study, we analyzed transgenic mice carrying a series of hybrid genes in which different upstream, intragenic, or downstream sequences were contributed by the beta-globin or G gamma-globin gene. We found that hybrid 5'G gamma/3'beta globin genes containing G gamma-globin sequences upstream from the initiation codon were expressed in embryonic erythroid cells at levels similar to those of an intact G gamma-globin transgene. In contrast, beta-globin upstream sequences were insufficient for expression of 5'beta/3'G gamma hybrid globin genes or a beta-globin-metallothionein fusion gene in adult erythroid cells. However, beta-globin downstream sequences, including 212 base pairs of exon III and 1,900 base pairs of 3'-flanking DNA, were able to activate a 5'G gamma/3'beta hybrid globin gene in fetal and adult erythroid cells. These experiments suggest that positive regulatory elements upstream from the G gamma-globin and downstream from the beta-globin gene are involved in the differential expression of the two genes during development.

Characterization of the major regulatory element upstream of the human alpha-globin gene cluster

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 4679-4689
Author(s):  
A P Jarman ◽  
W G Wood ◽  
J A Sharpe ◽  
G Gourdon ◽  
H Ayyub ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Element ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Major Elements ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Globin Mrna ◽  
Expression Studies ◽  
Primary Element ◽  
Alpha Globin ◽  
Binding Sequence

The major positive regulatory activity of the human alpha-globin gene complex has been localized to an element associated with a strong erythroid-specific DNase I hypersensitive site (HS -40) located 40 kb upstream of the zeta 2-globin mRNA cap site. Footprint and gel shift analyses of the element have demonstrated the presence of four binding sites for the nuclear factor GATA-1 and two sites corresponding to the AP-1 consensus binding sequence. This region resembles one of the major elements of the beta-globin locus control region in its constitution and characteristics; this together with evidence from expression studies suggests that HS -40 is a primary element controlling alpha-globin gene expression.

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