Role of TATA-element in transcription from glucocorticoid receptor-responsive model promoters.
Transcription activation properties of the rat glucocorticoid receptor (GR) on minimal, TATA-box containing or depleted promoters have been tested. We show that a cluster of Glucocorticoid Responsive Elements (GRE), upon activation by the GR, is sufficient to mediate abundant RNA-polymerase II transcription. We find that in absence of a bona fide TATA-element transcription initiates at a distance of 45-55bp from the activated GRE cluster with a marked preference for sequences homologous to the initiator element (Inr). Analyzing defined, bi-directional transcription units we demonstrate that the apparent reduction of specific transcription in strong, TATA-depleted promoters, is mainly due to loss of short-range promoter polarization. The implications for long-range promoter/enhancer communication mechanisms are also discussed.
Wieland
S
S
Institute for Molecular Biology 2, University of Zürich, Switzerland.
Schatt
M D
MD
Rusconi
S
S
D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000378:metabolism*; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014162:Transfection
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D012319:RNA Polymerase II