scholarly journals Identification of upstream and intragenic regulatory elements that confer cell-type-restricted and differentiation-specific expression on the muscle creatine kinase gene.

1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 2896-2909 ◽  
Author(s):  
E A Sternberg ◽  
G Spizz ◽  
W M Perry ◽  
D Vizard ◽  
T Weil ◽  
...  

Terminal differentiation of skeletal myoblasts is accompanied by induction of a series of tissue-specific gene products, which includes the muscle isoenzyme of creatine kinase (MCK). To begin to define the sequences and signals involved in MCK regulation in developing muscle cells, the mouse MCK gene has been isolated. Sequence analysis of 4,147 bases of DNA surrounding the transcription initiation site revealed several interesting structural features, some of which are common to other muscle-specific genes and to cellular and viral enhancers. To test for sequences required for regulated expression, a region upstream of the MCK gene from -4800 to +1 base pairs, relative to the transcription initiation site, was linked to the coding sequences of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. Introduction of this MCK-CAT fusion gene into C2 muscle cells resulted in high-level expression of CAT activity in differentiated myotubes and no detectable expression in proliferating undifferentiated myoblasts or in nonmyogenic cell lines. Deletion mutagenesis of sequences between -4800 and the transcription start site showed that the region between -1351 and -1050 was sufficient to confer cell type-specific and developmentally regulated expression on the MCK promoter. This upstream regulatory element functioned independently of position, orientation, or distance from the promoter and therefore exhibited the properties of a classical enhancer. This upstream enhancer also was able to confer muscle-specific regulation on the simian virus 40 promoter, although it exhibited a 3- to 5-fold preference for its own promoter. In contrast to the cell type- and differentiation-specific expression of the upstream enhancer, the MCK promoter was able to function in myoblasts and myotubes and in nonmyogenic cell lines when combined with the simian virus 40 enhancer. An additional positive regulatory element was identified within the first intron of the MCK gene. Like the upstream enhancer, this intragenic element functioned independently of position, orientation, and distance with respect to the MCK promoter and was active in differentiated myotubes but not in myoblasts. These results demonstrate that expression of the MCK gene in developing muscle cells is controlled by complex interactions among multiple upstream and intragenic regulatory elements that are functional only in the appropriate cellular context.

1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 2896-2909 ◽  
Author(s):  
E A Sternberg ◽  
G Spizz ◽  
W M Perry ◽  
D Vizard ◽  
T Weil ◽  
...  

Terminal differentiation of skeletal myoblasts is accompanied by induction of a series of tissue-specific gene products, which includes the muscle isoenzyme of creatine kinase (MCK). To begin to define the sequences and signals involved in MCK regulation in developing muscle cells, the mouse MCK gene has been isolated. Sequence analysis of 4,147 bases of DNA surrounding the transcription initiation site revealed several interesting structural features, some of which are common to other muscle-specific genes and to cellular and viral enhancers. To test for sequences required for regulated expression, a region upstream of the MCK gene from -4800 to +1 base pairs, relative to the transcription initiation site, was linked to the coding sequences of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. Introduction of this MCK-CAT fusion gene into C2 muscle cells resulted in high-level expression of CAT activity in differentiated myotubes and no detectable expression in proliferating undifferentiated myoblasts or in nonmyogenic cell lines. Deletion mutagenesis of sequences between -4800 and the transcription start site showed that the region between -1351 and -1050 was sufficient to confer cell type-specific and developmentally regulated expression on the MCK promoter. This upstream regulatory element functioned independently of position, orientation, or distance from the promoter and therefore exhibited the properties of a classical enhancer. This upstream enhancer also was able to confer muscle-specific regulation on the simian virus 40 promoter, although it exhibited a 3- to 5-fold preference for its own promoter. In contrast to the cell type- and differentiation-specific expression of the upstream enhancer, the MCK promoter was able to function in myoblasts and myotubes and in nonmyogenic cell lines when combined with the simian virus 40 enhancer. An additional positive regulatory element was identified within the first intron of the MCK gene. Like the upstream enhancer, this intragenic element functioned independently of position, orientation, and distance with respect to the MCK promoter and was active in differentiated myotubes but not in myoblasts. These results demonstrate that expression of the MCK gene in developing muscle cells is controlled by complex interactions among multiple upstream and intragenic regulatory elements that are functional only in the appropriate cellular context.


1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 4377-4389 ◽  
Author(s):  
P F Bouvagnet ◽  
E E Strehler ◽  
G E White ◽  
M A Strehler-Page ◽  
B Nadal-Ginard ◽  
...  

To identify the DNA sequences that regulate the expression of the sarcomeric myosin heavy-chain (MHC) genes in muscle cells, a series of deletion constructs of the rat embryonic MHC gene was assayed for transient expression after introduction into myogenic and nonmyogenic cells. The sequences in 1.4 kilobases of 5'-flanking DNA were found to be sufficient to direct expression of the MHC gene constructs in a tissue-specific manner (i.e., in differentiated muscle cells but not in undifferentiated muscle and nonmuscle cells). Three main distinct regulatory domains have been identified: (i) the upstream sequences from positions -1413 to -174, which determine the level of expression of the MHC gene and are constituted of three positive regulatory elements and two negative ones; (ii) a muscle-specific regulatory element from positions -173 to -142, which restricts the expression of the MHC gene to muscle cells; and (iii) the promoter region, downstream from position -102, which directs transcription initiation. Introduction of the simian virus 40 enhancer into constructs where subportions of or all of the upstream sequences are deleted (up to position -173) strongly increases the level of expression of such truncated constructs but without changing their muscle specificity. These upstream sequences, which can be substituted for by the simian virus 40 enhancer, function in an orientation-, position-, and promoter-dependent fashion. The muscle-specific element is also promoter specific but does not support efficient expression of the MHC gene. The MHC promoter in itself is not muscle specific. These results underline the importance of the concerted action of multiple regulatory elements that are likely to represent targets for DNA-binding-regulatory proteins.


1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 4377-4389
Author(s):  
P F Bouvagnet ◽  
E E Strehler ◽  
G E White ◽  
M A Strehler-Page ◽  
B Nadal-Ginard ◽  
...  

To identify the DNA sequences that regulate the expression of the sarcomeric myosin heavy-chain (MHC) genes in muscle cells, a series of deletion constructs of the rat embryonic MHC gene was assayed for transient expression after introduction into myogenic and nonmyogenic cells. The sequences in 1.4 kilobases of 5'-flanking DNA were found to be sufficient to direct expression of the MHC gene constructs in a tissue-specific manner (i.e., in differentiated muscle cells but not in undifferentiated muscle and nonmuscle cells). Three main distinct regulatory domains have been identified: (i) the upstream sequences from positions -1413 to -174, which determine the level of expression of the MHC gene and are constituted of three positive regulatory elements and two negative ones; (ii) a muscle-specific regulatory element from positions -173 to -142, which restricts the expression of the MHC gene to muscle cells; and (iii) the promoter region, downstream from position -102, which directs transcription initiation. Introduction of the simian virus 40 enhancer into constructs where subportions of or all of the upstream sequences are deleted (up to position -173) strongly increases the level of expression of such truncated constructs but without changing their muscle specificity. These upstream sequences, which can be substituted for by the simian virus 40 enhancer, function in an orientation-, position-, and promoter-dependent fashion. The muscle-specific element is also promoter specific but does not support efficient expression of the MHC gene. The MHC promoter in itself is not muscle specific. These results underline the importance of the concerted action of multiple regulatory elements that are likely to represent targets for DNA-binding-regulatory proteins.


1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 653-661
Author(s):  
A L Means ◽  
P J Farnham

We have identified a sequence element that specifies the position of transcription initiation for the dihydrofolate reductase gene. Unlike the functionally analogous TATA box that directs RNA polymerase II to initiate transcription 30 nucleotides downstream, the positioning element of the dihydrofolate reductase promoter is located directly at the site of transcription initiation. By using DNase I footprint analysis, we have shown that a protein binds to this initiator element. Transcription initiated at the dihydrofolate reductase initiator element when 28 nucleotides were inserted between it and all other upstream sequences, or when it was placed on either side of the DNA helix, suggesting that there is no strict spatial requirement between the initiator and an upstream element. Although neither a single Sp1-binding site nor a single initiator element was sufficient for transcriptional activity, the combination of one Sp1-binding site and the dihydrofolate reductase initiator element cloned into a plasmid vector resulted in transcription starting at the initiator element. We have also shown that the simian virus 40 late major initiation site has striking sequence homology to the dihydrofolate reductase initiation site and that the same, or a similar, protein binds to both sites. Examination of the sequences at other RNA polymerase II initiation sites suggests that we have identified an element that is important in the transcription of other housekeeping genes. We have thus named the protein that binds to the initiator element HIP1 (Housekeeping Initiator Protein 1).


2003 ◽  
Vol 370 (3) ◽  
pp. 771-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina PÉREZ-GÓMEZ ◽  
José M. MATÉS ◽  
Pedro M. GÓMEZ-FABRE ◽  
Antonio del CASTILLO-OLIVARES ◽  
Francisco J. ALONSO ◽  
...  

In mammals, glutaminase (GA) is expressed in most tissues, but the regulation of organ-specific expression is largely unknown. Therefore, as an essential step towards studying the regulation of GA expression, the human liver-type GA (hLGA) gene has been characterized. LGA genomic sequences were isolated using the genome walking technique. Analysis and comparison of these sequences with two LGA cDNA clones and the Human Genome Project database, allowed the determination of the genomic organization of the LGA gene. The gene has 18 exons and is approx. 18kb long. All exon/intron junction sequences conform to the GT/AG rule. Progressive deletion analysis of LGA promoter—luciferase constructs indicated that the core promoter is located between nt −141 and +410, with several potential regulatory elements: CAAT, GC, TATA-like, Ras-responsive element binding protein and specificity protein 1 (Sp1) sites. The minimal promoter was mapped within +107 and +410, where only an Sp1 binding site is present. Mutation experiments suggested that two CAAT recognition elements near the transcription-initiation site (-138 and −87), play a crucial role for optimal promoter activity. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays confirmed the importance of CAAT- and TATA-like boxes to enhance basal transcription, and demonstrated that HNF-1 motif is a significant distal element for transcriptional regulation of the hLGA gene.


1997 ◽  
Vol 322 (3) ◽  
pp. 899-908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jørgen OLSEN ◽  
Klaus KOKHOLM ◽  
Jesper T. TROELSEN ◽  
Liselotte LAUSTSEN

The 5´ flanking region of the gene encoding the small intestinal brush-border peptidase aminopeptidase N (APN) was screened for the presence of enhancer regions. A 300 bp region with enhancer activity was identified 2.7 kb upstream of the transcriptional start site which is used in epithelial cells. The enhancer stimulated transcription from a heterologous promoter (the simian virus 40 early promoter) in a position- and orientation-independent manner. The activity of the enhancer is cell-type dependent and it is active in liver (HepG2), intestinal (Caco-2) and myeloid (K562) cells. As the epithelial APN promoter is active in the first two cell-types and the myeloid APN promoter in the last, the results may suggest that the enhancer, through a cooperation with either of the promoters, is important for the tissue-specific expression of APN. A detailed analysis of the enhancer led to the identification of four functionally important regions that are protected against DNase I digestion by Caco-2 nuclear extract. Sequence analysis suggests that two of the regions may interact with members of the Ets transcription factor family (Ets is a transformation-specific protein first discovered in the E26 avian erythroblastosis virus), one region with a CCAAT enhancer-binding protein and one region with Sp1, a transcriptional activator first described as a factor binding to the simian virus 40 early promoter.


1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
D D Petersen ◽  
M A Magnuson ◽  
D K Granner

Chimeric genes were constructed by fusion of various regions of the 5'-flanking sequence from the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) (PEPCK) gene to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase-coding sequence and to simian virus 40 splice and polyadenylation sequences. These were used to demonstrate that two glucocorticoid regulatory elements (GREs) combine to confer glucocorticoid responsiveness upon the PEPCK gene in H4IIE hepatoma cells. Both elements, a distal one whose 5' boundary is located between -1264 and -1111 base pairs and a proximal one located between -468 and -420 base pairs relative to the transcription initiation site, act independently, in various positions and orientations, and upon the heterologous thymidine kinase promoter. Each element accounts for half of the maximal response of the chimeric genes. Therefore, two widely separated enhancerlike elements contribute equally to the response of the PEPCK gene to glucocorticoid hormones. Neither of the PEPCK GREs contains the TGTTCT consensus sequence associated with most other GREs.


1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 3653-3662
Author(s):  
P Lowings ◽  
U Yavuzer ◽  
C R Goding

Melanocytes are specialized cells residing in the hair follicles, the eye, and the basal layer of the human epidermis whose primary function is the production of the pigment melanin, giving rise to skin, hair, and eye color. Melanogenesis, a process unique to melanocytes that involves the processing of tyrosine by a number of melanocyte-specific enzymes, including tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), occurs only after differentiation from the melanocyte precursor, the melanoblast. In humans, melanogenesis is inducible by UV irradiation, with melanin being transferred from the melanocyte in the epidermis to the surrounding keratinocytes as protection from UV-induced damage. Excessive exposure to UV, however, is the primary cause of malignant melanoma, an increasingly common and highly aggressive disease. As an initial approach to understanding the regulation of melanocyte differentiation and melanocyte-specific transcription, we have isolated the gene encoding TRP-1 and examined the cis- and trans-acting factors required for cell-type-specific expression. We find that the TRP-1 promoter comprises both positive and negative regulatory elements which confer efficient expression in a TRP-1-expressing, pigmented melanoma cell line but not in NIH 3T3 or JEG3 cells and that a minimal promoter extending between -44 and +107 is sufficient for cell-type-specific expression. Assays for DNA-protein interactions coupled with extensive mutagenesis identified three factors, whose binding correlated with the function of two positive and one negative regulatory element. One of these factors, termed M-box-binding factor 1, binds to an 11-bp motif, the M box, which acts as a positive regulatory element both in TRP-1-expressing and -nonexpressing cell lines, despite being entirely conserved between the melanocyte-specific tyrosinase and TRP-1 promoters. The possible mechanisms underlying melanocyte-specific gene expression are discussed.


1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-104
Author(s):  
D D Petersen ◽  
M A Magnuson ◽  
D K Granner

Chimeric genes were constructed by fusion of various regions of the 5'-flanking sequence from the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) (PEPCK) gene to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase-coding sequence and to simian virus 40 splice and polyadenylation sequences. These were used to demonstrate that two glucocorticoid regulatory elements (GREs) combine to confer glucocorticoid responsiveness upon the PEPCK gene in H4IIE hepatoma cells. Both elements, a distal one whose 5' boundary is located between -1264 and -1111 base pairs and a proximal one located between -468 and -420 base pairs relative to the transcription initiation site, act independently, in various positions and orientations, and upon the heterologous thymidine kinase promoter. Each element accounts for half of the maximal response of the chimeric genes. Therefore, two widely separated enhancerlike elements contribute equally to the response of the PEPCK gene to glucocorticoid hormones. Neither of the PEPCK GREs contains the TGTTCT consensus sequence associated with most other GREs.


1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 3653-3662 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Lowings ◽  
U Yavuzer ◽  
C R Goding

Melanocytes are specialized cells residing in the hair follicles, the eye, and the basal layer of the human epidermis whose primary function is the production of the pigment melanin, giving rise to skin, hair, and eye color. Melanogenesis, a process unique to melanocytes that involves the processing of tyrosine by a number of melanocyte-specific enzymes, including tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), occurs only after differentiation from the melanocyte precursor, the melanoblast. In humans, melanogenesis is inducible by UV irradiation, with melanin being transferred from the melanocyte in the epidermis to the surrounding keratinocytes as protection from UV-induced damage. Excessive exposure to UV, however, is the primary cause of malignant melanoma, an increasingly common and highly aggressive disease. As an initial approach to understanding the regulation of melanocyte differentiation and melanocyte-specific transcription, we have isolated the gene encoding TRP-1 and examined the cis- and trans-acting factors required for cell-type-specific expression. We find that the TRP-1 promoter comprises both positive and negative regulatory elements which confer efficient expression in a TRP-1-expressing, pigmented melanoma cell line but not in NIH 3T3 or JEG3 cells and that a minimal promoter extending between -44 and +107 is sufficient for cell-type-specific expression. Assays for DNA-protein interactions coupled with extensive mutagenesis identified three factors, whose binding correlated with the function of two positive and one negative regulatory element. One of these factors, termed M-box-binding factor 1, binds to an 11-bp motif, the M box, which acts as a positive regulatory element both in TRP-1-expressing and -nonexpressing cell lines, despite being entirely conserved between the melanocyte-specific tyrosinase and TRP-1 promoters. The possible mechanisms underlying melanocyte-specific gene expression are discussed.


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