title: A transcriptional activator is located in the coding region of the yeast PGK gene.
abstract: Expression of heterologous genes from the PGK promoter on high copy number plasmids in yeast is relatively poor compared to the intact PGK gene because of low steady-state RNA levels. In this paper we show that low levels of heterologous RNA are not due to instability of mRNA but result from inefficient transcription due to a defect in RNA synthesis. A comparison of RNA levels from homologous and heterologous transcription units allowed the identification of a positive activator for transcription within the PGK coding region which is required for efficient expression of the PGK gene. Deletion of this region, the "downstream activator sequence", causes a six to ten fold reduction in transcriptional efficiency from the PGK 5' noncoding region.
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D007372:Interferons / Q000235:genetics; D010735:Phosphoglycerate Kinase / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D015003:Yeasts / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007372:Interferons; D010735:Phosphoglycerate Kinase