In vitro transcription and delimitation of promoter elements of the murine dihydrofolate reductase gene

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 2392-2401
Author(s):  
P J Farnham ◽  
R T Schimke

We have developed an in vitro transcription system for the murine dihydrofolate reductase gene. Although transcription in vitro from a linearized template was initiated at the same start sites as in vivo, the correct ratios were more closely approximated when a supercoiled template was used. In addition, whereas the dihydrofolate reductase promoter functions bidirectionally in vivo, the initiation signals directed unidirectional transcription in this in vitro system. The dihydrofolate reductase gene does not have a typical TATA box, but has four GGGCGG hexanucleotides within 300 base pairs 5' of the AUG codon. Deletion analysis suggested that, although sequences surrounding each of the GC boxes could specify initiation approximately 40 to 50 nucleotides downstream, three of the four GC boxes could be removed without changing the accuracy or efficiency of initiation at the major in vivo site. The dihydrofolate reductase promoter initiated transcription very rapidly in vitro, with transcripts visible by 1 min and almost maximal by 2 min at 30 degrees C with no preincubation. Nuclear extracts prepared from cells blocked in the S phase by aphidicolin or from adenovirus-infected cells at 16 h postinfection had enhanced dihydrofolate reductase transcriptional activity. This increased in vitro transcription mimicked the increase in dihydrofolate reductase mRNA seen in S-phase cells and suggested the presence of a cell-cycle-specific factor(s) which stimulated transcription from the dihydrofolate reductase gene.

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 2392-2401 ◽  
Author(s):  
P J Farnham ◽  
R T Schimke

We have developed an in vitro transcription system for the murine dihydrofolate reductase gene. Although transcription in vitro from a linearized template was initiated at the same start sites as in vivo, the correct ratios were more closely approximated when a supercoiled template was used. In addition, whereas the dihydrofolate reductase promoter functions bidirectionally in vivo, the initiation signals directed unidirectional transcription in this in vitro system. The dihydrofolate reductase gene does not have a typical TATA box, but has four GGGCGG hexanucleotides within 300 base pairs 5' of the AUG codon. Deletion analysis suggested that, although sequences surrounding each of the GC boxes could specify initiation approximately 40 to 50 nucleotides downstream, three of the four GC boxes could be removed without changing the accuracy or efficiency of initiation at the major in vivo site. The dihydrofolate reductase promoter initiated transcription very rapidly in vitro, with transcripts visible by 1 min and almost maximal by 2 min at 30 degrees C with no preincubation. Nuclear extracts prepared from cells blocked in the S phase by aphidicolin or from adenovirus-infected cells at 16 h postinfection had enhanced dihydrofolate reductase transcriptional activity. This increased in vitro transcription mimicked the increase in dihydrofolate reductase mRNA seen in S-phase cells and suggested the presence of a cell-cycle-specific factor(s) which stimulated transcription from the dihydrofolate reductase gene.


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.


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.


1998 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 1811-1814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo K. Basco ◽  
Rachida Tahar ◽  
Pascal Ringwald

ABSTRACT In vitro sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine resistance has been associated with point mutations in the dihydropteroate synthase and dihydrofolate reductase domains, respectively, but the in vivo relevance of these point mutations has not been well established. To analyze the correlation between genotype and phenotype, 10 Cameroonian adult patients were treated with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and followed up for 28 days. After losses to follow-up (n = 1) or elimination of DNA samples due to mixed parasite populations with pyrimethamine-sensitive and pyrimethamine-resistant profiles (n = 3), parasite genomic DNA from day 0 blood samples of six patients were analyzed by DNA sequencing. Three patients who were cured had isolates characterized by a wild-type or mutant dihydrofolate reductase gene (with one or two mutations) and a wild-type dihydropteroate synthase gene. Three other patients who failed to respond to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine treatment carried isolates with triple dihydrofolate reductase gene mutations and either a wild-type or a mutant dihydropteroate synthase gene. Three dihydrofolate reductase gene codons (51, 59, and 108) may be reliable genetic markers that can accurately predict the clinical outcome of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine treatment in Africa.


1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 4799-4807 ◽  
Author(s):  
L J Brunet ◽  
A J Berk

The adenovirus E1A proteins are essential for the normal temporal activation of transcription from every other adenoviral early promoter. High-level E1A expression in the absence of viral infection would facilitate biochemical studies of E1A-mediated transactivation. Toward this end, we introduced the adenovirus type 2 E1A gene under the control of the murine mammary tumor virus promoter into HeLa cells. Uninduced cells expressed little or no detectable E1A mRNA. Upon induction, mRNA levels accumulated to about 50% of the level observed in 293 cells. The level of E1A expression in these cells could be controlled by varying the concentration of the inducing glucocorticoid. Under these conditions of varying E1A concentrations, it was observed that activation of the E2, E3, and E4 promoters of H5dl312 initiated at the same E1A concentration and that transcription from each promoter increased as the E1A concentration increased. These results indicate that E1A-mediated transactivation is proportional to the concentration of E1A protein. E1A-dependent transcriptional stimulation of the E4 promoter was reproduced in an in vitro transcription system, demonstrating that expression of only the E1A proteins was sufficient to increase the transcriptional activity of nuclear extracts.


1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2832-2841
Author(s):  
N Mechti ◽  
M Piechaczyk ◽  
J M Blanchard ◽  
P Jeanteur ◽  
B Lebleu

A strong block to the elongation of nascent RNA transcripts by RNA polymerase II occurs in the 5' part of the mammalian c-fos proto-oncogene. In addition to the control of initiation, this mechanism contributes to transcriptional regulation of the gene. In vitro transcription experiments using nuclear extracts and purified transcription templates allowed us to map a unique arrest site within the mouse first intron 385 nucleotides downstream from the promoter. This position is in keeping with that estimated from nuclear run-on assays performed with short DNA probes and thus suggests that it corresponds to the actual block in vivo. Moreover, we have shown that neither the c-fos promoter nor upstream sequences are absolute requirements for an efficient transcription arrest both in vivo and in vitro. Finally, we have characterized a 103-nucleotide-long intron 1 motif comprising the arrest site and sufficient for obtaining the block in a cell-free transcription assay.


1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 2035-2039
Author(s):  
P J Hanic-Joyce ◽  
M W Gray

To investigate transcriptional mechanisms in plant mitochondria, we have developed an accurate and efficient in vitro transcription system consisting of a partially purified wheat mitochondrial extract programmed with cloned DNA templates containing the promoter for the wheat mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit II gene (coxII). Using this system, we localize the coxII promoter to a 372-bp region spanning positions -56 to -427 relative to the coxII translation initiation codon. We show that in vitro transcription of coxII is initiated at position -170, precisely the same site at which transcription is initiated in vivo. Transcription begins within the sequence GTATAGTAAGTA (the initiating nucleotide is underlined), which is similar to the consensus yeast mitochondrial promoter motif, (A/T)TATAAGTA. This is the first in vitro system that faithfully reproduces in vivo transcription of a plant mitochondrial gene.


1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 4799-4807
Author(s):  
L J Brunet ◽  
A J Berk

The adenovirus E1A proteins are essential for the normal temporal activation of transcription from every other adenoviral early promoter. High-level E1A expression in the absence of viral infection would facilitate biochemical studies of E1A-mediated transactivation. Toward this end, we introduced the adenovirus type 2 E1A gene under the control of the murine mammary tumor virus promoter into HeLa cells. Uninduced cells expressed little or no detectable E1A mRNA. Upon induction, mRNA levels accumulated to about 50% of the level observed in 293 cells. The level of E1A expression in these cells could be controlled by varying the concentration of the inducing glucocorticoid. Under these conditions of varying E1A concentrations, it was observed that activation of the E2, E3, and E4 promoters of H5dl312 initiated at the same E1A concentration and that transcription from each promoter increased as the E1A concentration increased. These results indicate that E1A-mediated transactivation is proportional to the concentration of E1A protein. E1A-dependent transcriptional stimulation of the E4 promoter was reproduced in an in vitro transcription system, demonstrating that expression of only the E1A proteins was sufficient to increase the transcriptional activity of nuclear extracts.


1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 2035-2039 ◽  
Author(s):  
P J Hanic-Joyce ◽  
M W Gray

To investigate transcriptional mechanisms in plant mitochondria, we have developed an accurate and efficient in vitro transcription system consisting of a partially purified wheat mitochondrial extract programmed with cloned DNA templates containing the promoter for the wheat mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit II gene (coxII). Using this system, we localize the coxII promoter to a 372-bp region spanning positions -56 to -427 relative to the coxII translation initiation codon. We show that in vitro transcription of coxII is initiated at position -170, precisely the same site at which transcription is initiated in vivo. Transcription begins within the sequence GTATAGTAAGTA (the initiating nucleotide is underlined), which is similar to the consensus yeast mitochondrial promoter motif, (A/T)TATAAGTA. This is the first in vitro system that faithfully reproduces in vivo transcription of a plant mitochondrial gene.


2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (23) ◽  
pp. 6902-6912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tod J. Merkel ◽  
Philip E. Boucher ◽  
Scott Stibitz ◽  
Vanessa K. Grippe

ABSTRACT Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, produces a wide array of factors that are associated with its ability to cause disease. The expression and regulation of these virulence factors are dependent upon the bvg locus, which encodes three proteins: BvgA, a 23-kDa cytoplasmic protein; BvgS, a 135-kDa transmembrane protein; and BvgR, a 32-kDa protein. It is hypothesized that BvgS responds to environmental signals and interacts with BvgA, a transcriptional regulator, which upon modification by BvgS binds to specific promoters and activates transcription. An additional class of genes is repressed by the products of the bvg locus. The repression of these genes is dependent upon the third gene, bvgR. Expression of bvgR is dependent upon the function of BvgA and BvgS. This led to the hypothesis that the binding of phosphorylated BvgA to the bvgR promoter activates the expression of bvgR. We undertook an analysis of the transcriptional activation of bvgR expression. We identified the bvgR transcript by Northern blot analysis and identified the start site of transcription by primer extension. We determined that transcriptional activation of the bvgR promoter in an in vitro transcription system requires the addition of phosphorylated BvgA. Additionally, we have identified cis-acting regions that are required for BvgA activation of the bvgR promoter by in vitro footprinting and in vivo deletion and linker scanning analyses. A model of BvgA binding to the bvgR promoter is presented.


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