Transient expression of the beta interferon promoter in human cells.
A human transient expression assay was used to examine the inducible transcriptional activation of beta interferon (IFN-beta) and IFN-alpha 1 promoters in a homologous cellular environment. Use of 293 cells, an adenovirus DNA-transformed human embryonic kidney cell line, permitted Sendai virus-inducible expression of IFN-beta-CAT hybrid gene. Introduction of the simian virus 40 (SV40) enhancer 5' or 3' to the IFN-CAT gene increased basal (uninduced) levels of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity; in one construct the SV40 enhancer--IFN-beta regulatory region combination increased the induced CAT activity 50- to 100-fold, suggesting that this may be a generally useful inducible enhancer-promoter combination. No expression from the IFN-alpha-CAT hybrid gene was detected in 293 cells, indicating that human epithelioid cells lack a factor required for expression of the IFN-alpha promoter. However, when the IFN-alpha regulatory region was combined with the SV40 enhancer, a low level of inducible CAT activity was detected in the human transient system.
Xanthoudakis
S
S
Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Alper
D
D
Hiscott
J
J
D002460:Cell Line; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D013539:Simian virus 40 / Q000235:genetics; D013997:Time Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D007370:Interferon Type I; D012333:RNA, Messenger