Functional characterization of core promoter elements: the downstream core element is recognized by TAF1.
Downstream elements are a newly appreciated class of core promoter elements of RNA polymerase II-transcribed genes. The downstream core element (DCE) was discovered in the human beta-globin promoter, and its sequence composition is distinct from that of the downstream promoter element (DPE). We show here that the DCE is a bona fide core promoter element present in a large number of promoters and with high incidence in promoters containing a TATA motif. Database analysis indicates that the DCE is found in diverse promoters, supporting its functional relevance in a variety of promoter contexts. The DCE consists of three subelements, and DCE function is recapitulated in a TFIID-dependent manner. Subelement 3 can function independently of the other two and shows a TFIID requirement as well. UV photo-cross-linking results demonstrate that TAF1/TAF(II)250 interacts with the DCE subelement DNA in a sequence-dependent manner. These data show that downstream elements consist of at least two types, those of the DPE class and those of the DCE class; they function via different DNA sequences and interact with different transcription activation factors. Finally, these data argue that TFIID is, in fact, a core promoter recognition complex.
Lee
Dong-Hoon
DH
Department of Biochemistry, Robert Woods Johnson Medical School, 683 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
Gershenzon
Naum
N
Gupta
Malavika
M
Ioshikhes
Ilya P
IP
Reinberg
Danny
D
Lewis
Brian A
BA
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005914:Globins / Q000235:genetics; D006367:HeLa Cells; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases; D006801:Humans; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics; D016385:TATA Box / Q000235:genetics*; D035381:TATA-Binding Protein Associated Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D035362:Transcription Factor TFIID / Q000235:genetics*
D021122:Protein Subunits; D035381:TATA-Binding Protein Associated Factors; D035362:Transcription Factor TFIID; D005914:Globins; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases; C069001:TATA-binding protein associated factor 250 kDa