Functional relationship among TATA sequences,gene induction and transcription initiation in the β-galactosidase,LAC4, gene from Kluyveromyces lactis

In the 5' non-coding region of the beta-galactosidase, LAC4, gene of Kluyveromyces lactis, three TATA-like sequences are present at -230, -170 and -142 from the ATG translation start site. By means of deletion mutations in the TATA region, at least two of these TATA sequences, those at -230 and -142, were shown to be required for normal gene expression. Evidence is presented for a functional hierarchy and cooperation between these TATA sequences. The deletion or a change in the position of the TATA sequences affects both beta-galactosidase induction and the location of RNA initiation sites. The TATA sequence at -230 alone is sufficient for correct gene induction when it is moved to a position 41 bp from the major RNA initiation sites located around -110; the -142 TATA alone contributes only partly to gene induction. We suggest a functional distinction between these two related regulatory sequences. This functional distinction might be established by sequence differences and/or targets of unlike specific DNA binding protein(s). A conformational analysis of the LAC4 promoter showed that under torsional stress the functional elements UAS, TATA boxes RNA initiation sites and ATG can be detected as P1-sensitive sites. Possible functions of DNA structural alterations on gene expression are discussed.     

Wilson病ATP7B基因启动子区突变对基因表达的影响

目的 探讨Wilson病ATP7B基因启动子区突变与Wilson发病的关系。方法 在48例患者中发现2例存在-183（C→T）突变，对发现存在突变的样本的DNA片段进行分离，克隆入pGL2荧光素酶报告基因，转染细胞，测定荧光素酶的活性，以野生型的ATP7B基因启动子作为对照，分析ATP7B基因启动子点突变对转录活性的影响。结果 含正常与含突变ATP7B启动子区序列的pGL2载体的荧光素酶转录活性相比较差异无统计学意义（n=3，P〉0．05）。结论 启动子区-183（C→T）突变不影响基因转录活性。提示该突变的意义有待进一步的探讨。