The Xenopus laevis ribosomal gene terminator contains sequences that both enhance and repress ribosomal transcription

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 3777-3784
Author(s):  
S Firek ◽  
C Read ◽  
D R Smith ◽  
T Moss
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Point Mutation ◽  
Ribosomal Dna ◽  
Ribosomal Gene ◽  
Promoter Element ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Transcription Terminator ◽  
Upstream Promoter

A DNA segment approximately 200 base pairs upstream of the Xenopus laevis ribosomal promoter acts both as an upstream promoter element that augments transcription and as a transcription terminator. It is, however, unclear to what extent these two activities are related. A segment of the X. laevis ribosomal DNA, containing the terminator and the upstream promoter element, was subjected to point mutation, and the effects of the resulting mutations were investigated by oocyte microinjection. Analysis of 26 point mutants revealed not only sequences that augment 40S transcription but also those that repress it. The sequences that augmented transcription lay within the T3 homology box and also near the site of 3'-end formation. These sequences also played a role in termination. The sequences that repressed transcription lay within the G+C-rich DNA flanking the T3 box. It can be concluded that termination is probably essential but may not be sufficient for the activity of the upstream promoter element.

scholarly journals The Xenopus laevis ribosomal gene terminator contains sequences that both enhance and repress ribosomal transcription.

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 3777-3784 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Firek ◽  
C Read ◽  
D R Smith ◽  
T Moss
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Point Mutation ◽  
Ribosomal Dna ◽  
Ribosomal Gene ◽  
Promoter Element ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Transcription Terminator ◽  
Upstream Promoter

A DNA segment approximately 200 base pairs upstream of the Xenopus laevis ribosomal promoter acts both as an upstream promoter element that augments transcription and as a transcription terminator. It is, however, unclear to what extent these two activities are related. A segment of the X. laevis ribosomal DNA, containing the terminator and the upstream promoter element, was subjected to point mutation, and the effects of the resulting mutations were investigated by oocyte microinjection. Analysis of 26 point mutants revealed not only sequences that augment 40S transcription but also those that repress it. The sequences that augmented transcription lay within the T3 homology box and also near the site of 3'-end formation. These sequences also played a role in termination. The sequences that repressed transcription lay within the G+C-rich DNA flanking the T3 box. It can be concluded that termination is probably essential but may not be sufficient for the activity of the upstream promoter element.

Two distant and precisely positioned domains promote transcription of Xenopus laevis rRNA genes: analysis with linker-scanning mutants

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 4585-4593
Author(s):  
J J Windle ◽  
B Sollner-Webb
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Promoter Activity ◽  
Promoter Sequence ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Unexpected Result ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
S1 Nuclease ◽  
Transcriptional Initiation ◽  
Upstream Promoter

To examine the internal organization of the promoter of the Xenopus laevis rRNA gene, we constructed a series of linker-scanning mutants that traverse the rDNA initiation region. The mutant genes, which have 3 to 11 clustered base substitutions set within an otherwise unaltered rDNA promoter sequence, were injected into Xenopus oocyte nuclei, and their transcriptional capacity was assessed by S1 nuclease analysis of the resultant RNA. The data demonstrate that there are two essential promoter domains, the distal boundaries of which coincide with the promoter boundaries established previously by analysis of 5' and 3' deletion mutants. The upstream promoter domain is relatively small and extends from residues ca. -140 to -128. The downstream domain is considerably larger, encompassing residues ca. -36 to +10, and exactly corresponds in both size and position to the mammalian minimal promoter region. The Xenopus rDNA sequence between these two essential domains has a much smaller effect on the level of transcriptional initiation. In light of the fact that a large portion of this intervening region consists of a segment (residues -114 to -72) that is duplicated many times in the upstream spacer to form an rDNA enhancer sequence, it is noteworthy that a "-115/-77 linker scanner," in which virtually this entire segment is replaced by a polylinker sequence, has full promoter activity in the injected Xenopus borealis oocytes. Analysis of a parallel series of spacing change linker-scanning mutants revealed the unexpected result that the relative positions of the upstream and downstream promoter domains are very critical: all spacing alterations of more than 2 base pairs within this 100-base-pair region virtually abolish promoter activity. We conclude that the factors that bind to these two distant promoter domains must interact in a very precise stereospecific manner.

scholarly journals Two distant and precisely positioned domains promote transcription of Xenopus laevis rRNA genes: analysis with linker-scanning mutants.

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 4585-4593 ◽  
Author(s):  
J J Windle ◽  
B Sollner-Webb
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Promoter Activity ◽  
Promoter Sequence ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Unexpected Result ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
S1 Nuclease ◽  
Transcriptional Initiation ◽  
Upstream Promoter

To examine the internal organization of the promoter of the Xenopus laevis rRNA gene, we constructed a series of linker-scanning mutants that traverse the rDNA initiation region. The mutant genes, which have 3 to 11 clustered base substitutions set within an otherwise unaltered rDNA promoter sequence, were injected into Xenopus oocyte nuclei, and their transcriptional capacity was assessed by S1 nuclease analysis of the resultant RNA. The data demonstrate that there are two essential promoter domains, the distal boundaries of which coincide with the promoter boundaries established previously by analysis of 5' and 3' deletion mutants. The upstream promoter domain is relatively small and extends from residues ca. -140 to -128. The downstream domain is considerably larger, encompassing residues ca. -36 to +10, and exactly corresponds in both size and position to the mammalian minimal promoter region. The Xenopus rDNA sequence between these two essential domains has a much smaller effect on the level of transcriptional initiation. In light of the fact that a large portion of this intervening region consists of a segment (residues -114 to -72) that is duplicated many times in the upstream spacer to form an rDNA enhancer sequence, it is noteworthy that a "-115/-77 linker scanner," in which virtually this entire segment is replaced by a polylinker sequence, has full promoter activity in the injected Xenopus borealis oocytes. Analysis of a parallel series of spacing change linker-scanning mutants revealed the unexpected result that the relative positions of the upstream and downstream promoter domains are very critical: all spacing alterations of more than 2 base pairs within this 100-base-pair region virtually abolish promoter activity. We conclude that the factors that bind to these two distant promoter domains must interact in a very precise stereospecific manner.

scholarly journals Occurrence of Repeat Induced Point Mutation in Long Segmental Duplications of Neurospora

Genetics ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 147 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
David D Perkins ◽  
Brian S Margolin ◽  
Eric U Selker ◽  
S D Haedo
Keyword(s):  
Point Mutation ◽  
Sexual Cycle ◽  
Segmental Duplications ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Single Chain ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Gene Size ◽  
Type Gene ◽  
Repeat Induced Point Mutation

Abstract Previous studies of repeat induced point mutation (RIP) have typically involved gene-size duplications resulting from insertion of transforming DNA at ectopic chromosomal positions. To ascertain whether genes in larger duplications are subject to RIP, progeny were examined from crosses heterozygous for long segmental duplications obtained using insertional or quasiterminal translocations. Of 17 distinct mutations from crossing 11 different duplications, 13 mapped within the segment that was duplicated in the parent, one was closely linked, and three were unlinked. Half of the mutations in duplicated segments were at previously unknown loci. The mutations were recessive and were expressed both in haploid and in duplication progeny from Duplication × Normal, suggesting that both copies of the wild-type gene had undergone RIP. Seven transition mutations characteristic of RIP were found in 395 base pairs (bp) examined in one ro-11 allele from these crosses and three were found in ~750 bp of another. A single chain-terminating C to T mutation was found in 800 bp of arg-6. RIP is thus responsible. These results are consistent with the idea that the impaired fertility that is characteristic of segmental duplications is due to inactivation by RIP of genes needed for progression through the sexual cycle.

Suppressors of Saccharomyces cerevisiae his3 promoter mutations lacking the upstream element

1985 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 1901-1909
Author(s):  
M A Oettinger ◽  
K Struhl
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Tata Box ◽  
Micrococcal Nuclease ◽  
Promoter Element ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Upstream Promoter ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Promoter Mutations ◽  
His3 Gene

Transcription of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae his3 gene requires an upstream promoter element and a TATA element. A strain containing his3-delta 13, an allele which deletes the upstream promoter element but contains the TATA box and intact structural gene, fails to express the gene and consequently is unable to grow in medium lacking histidine. In this paper we characterize His+ revertants of his3-delta 13 which are due to unlinked suppressor mutations. Recessive suppressors in three different ope genes allow his3-delta 13 to be expressed at wild-type levels. In all cases, the suppression is due to increased his3 transcription. However, unlike the wild-type his3 gene, whose transcripts are initiated about equally from two different sites (+1 and +12), transcription due to the ope mutations is initiated only from the +12 site, ope-mediated transcription is regulated in a novel manner; it is observed in minimal medium, but not in rich broth. Although ope mutations restore wild-type levels of transcription, his3 chromatin structure, as assayed by micrococcal nuclease sensitivity of the TATA box, resembles that found in the his3-delta 13 parent rather than in the wild-type strain. This provides further evidence that TATA box sensitivity is not correlated with transcriptional activation. ope mutations are pleiotropic in that cells have a crunchy colony morphology and lyse at 37 degrees C in conditions of normal osmolarity. ope mutations are allele specific because they fail to suppress five other his3 promoter mutations. We discuss implications concerning upstream promoter elements and propose some models for ope suppression.

scholarly journals High frequency repeat-induced point mutation (RIP) is not associated with efficient recombination in Neurospora.

Genetics ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 138 (4) ◽  
pp. 1093-1103 ◽  
Author(s):  
J T Irelan ◽  
A T Hagemann ◽  
E U Selker
Keyword(s):  
Point Mutation ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Recombination Frequency ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Sexual Cycle ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Copy Gene ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Repeat Induced Point Mutation

Abstract Duplicated DNA sequences in Neurospora crassa are efficiently detected and mutated during the sexual cycle by a process named repeat-induced point mutation (RIP). Linked, direct duplications have previously been shown to undergo both RIP and deletion at high frequency during premeiosis, suggesting a relationship between RIP and homologous recombination. We have investigated the relationship between RIP and recombination for an unlinked duplication and for both inverted and direct, linked duplications. RIP occurred at high frequency (42-100%) with all three types of duplications used in this study, yet recombination was infrequent. For both inverted and direct, linked duplications, recombination was observed, but at frequencies one to two orders of magnitude lower than RIP. For the unlinked duplication, no recombinants were seen in 900 progeny, indicating, at most, a recombination frequency nearly three orders of magnitude lower than the frequency of RIP. In a direct duplication, RIP and recombination were correlated, suggesting that these two processes are mechanistically associated or that one process provokes the other. Mutations due to RIP have previously been shown to occur outside the boundary of a linked, direct duplication, indicating that RIP might be able to inactivate genes located in single-copy sequences adjacent to a duplicated sequence. In this study, a single-copy gene located between elements of linked duplications was inactivated at moderate frequencies (12-14%). Sequence analysis demonstrated that RIP mutations had spread into these single-copy sequences at least 930 base pairs from the boundary of the duplication, and Southern analysis indicated that mutations had occurred at least 4 kilobases from the duplication boundary.

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