Open AccessTranscription analysis of a human U4C gene: involvement of transcription factors novel to snRNA gene expression.
Author(s) -
P A Weller,
Christina Bark,
L. Janson,
Ulf Pettersson
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
genes and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.136
H-Index - 438
eISSN - 1549-5477
pISSN - 0890-9369
DOI - 10.1101/gad.2.11.1389
Subject(s) - biology , enhancer , general transcription factor , e box , response element , microbiology and biotechnology , small nuclear rna , promoter , prp24 , snrnp , creb , transcription (linguistics) , transcription factor , sp3 transcription factor , tcf4 , gene , gene expression , genetics , rna , rna splicing , non coding rna , linguistics , philosophy
We have investigated the promoter requirements for in vivo transcription of a human U4C snRNA gene following transfection into HeLa cells. Two elements required for maximal U4C transcription were identified. The first, located upstream of -50, provides a basal level of transcription 2-3% of the full activity, and probably corresponds to the previously identified snRNA gene proximal element. The distal element, centered around -220, acts as a transcriptional enhancer and contains motifs for three previously recognized transcription factors: the octamer-binding protein, NF-A, which binds to motifs in the distal elements of other snRNA genes, and two factors not previously shown to be involved in snRNA gene transcription, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and AP-2. The octamer and putative AP-2 motifs are required for maximal transcription of the U4C gene. Specific binding of NF-A and CREB to the motifs in the distal element has been shown in vitro by DNase I and DMS methylation protection footprint competition analyses using HeLa nuclear extracts. The presence of a binding motif for the inducible factor CREB, together with the transcriptional requirement for the putative AP-2 motif, suggests a means by which expression of snRNA genes might be regulated.