title: Promoter-specific function of the TATA element in undifferentiated P19 cells.
abstract: P19 embryonal carcinoma cells differentiate into neuronal cells when treated with retinoic acid (RA). To explore the importance of core promoter structures in the regulation of gene expression during neuronal differentiation, the activities of three classes of modified or unmodified model promoters (Spec2a, OtxE, and Ars) were compared in P19 cells before and after RA treatment. The Spec2a promoter was activated in undifferentiated cells specifically when the E-box was located at a proximal position, whereas the OtxE promoter was activated when the E-box was in a distal position. The Ars promoter was only slightly activated by this element. In addition, the TATA element reduced the level of activation provided by the E-box, but only when it was located in the Spec2a core promoter. These results indicate that the core promoter structure may govern, at least in part, the stage-specific expression of endogenous genes involved in the neuronal differentiation of P19 cells.
authors.affiliation: RIKEN Genomic Sciences Center, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Tetsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kokubo
authors.forename: Yoshimi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ota
authors.forename: Shigeyuki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D016385:TATA Box; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D014212:Tretinoin