title: Distributions of Z-DNA and nuclear factor I in human chromosome 22: a model for coupled transcriptional regulation.
abstract: An analysis of the human chromosome 22 genomic sequence shows that both Z-DNA forming regions (ZDRs) and promoter sites for nuclear factor-I (NFI) are correlated with the locations of known and predicted genes across the chromosome and accumulate around the transcriptional start sites of the known genes. Thus, the occurrence of Z-DNA across human genomic sequences mirrors that of a known eukaryotic transcription factor. In addition, 43 of the 383 fully annotated chromosomal genes have ZDRs within 2 nucleosomes upstream of strong NFIs. This suggests a distinct class of human genes that may potentially be transcriptionally regulated by a mechanism that couples Z-DNA with NFI activation, similar to the mechanism previously elucidated for the human colony stimulation factor-I promoter [Liu et al. (2001) Cell, 106, 309-318]. The results from this study will facilitate the design of experimental studies to test the generality of this mechanism for other genes in the cell.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, ALS 2011, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
authors.forename: P Christoph
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Champ
authors.forename: Sandor
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maurice
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vargason
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Camp
authors.forename: P Shing
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D022762:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002892:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D043542:DNA, Z-Form / Q000032:analysis*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000235:genetics; D008957:Models, Genetic; D051839:NFI Transcription Factors; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D022762:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins; D043542:DNA, Z-Form; D051839:NFI Transcription Factors; C497592:NFIA protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor