Similarity between a ubiquitous promoter element in an ancient eukaryote and mammalian initiator elements.
To identify regulatory elements that play a role in transcription initiation in ancient eukaryotes, we have analyzed the upstream regions of protein-coding genes from Trichomonas vaginalis, one of the most ancient eukaryotes studied to date. Characterization of seven protein-coding genes from this protist invariably revealed the presence of a highly conserved DNA sequence motif immediately upstream of the coding region. This 13-nt motif was shown to surround and contain precise sites for transcription initiation. No typical TATA boxes, positioned at 25-30 nt upstream of the transcription start sites of these genes, were found. The start-site regions from all seven T. vaginalis genes impart strong specific initiation of transcription in a mammalian in vitro transcription assay. This consensus promoter element in an ancient eukaryote is similar, both structurally and functionally, to initiator elements found in promoters of higher eukaryotes.
Quon
D V
DV
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90024-1747.
Delgadillo
M G
MG
Khachi
A
A
Smale
S T
ST
Johnson
P J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000235:genetics*
D017931:DNA Primers; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D015800:Protozoan Proteins