title: The characterisation of the human Wolfram syndrome gene promoter demonstrating regulation by Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors.
abstract: Wolfram Syndrome (DIDMOAD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by insulin deficient diabetes mellitus and neurodegeneration. Mutations in a novel gene, WFS1, were found in nearly all patients and segregated with the disease. The WFS1 gene is expressed in all tissue types studied and the 890aa protein product is localised to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In this study, we used a combination of reporter assays and in vitro and in vivo transcription factor binding assays to analyse the regulation of expression of the human WFS1 gene in neuronal derived cells. A single transcription start site was mapped and a minimal promoter identified within 25 bp upstream of this site. This minimal promoter contains two DNA binding motifs (GC boxes) for the transcription factors Sp1/3/4 and binding of both Sp1 and Sp3 was demonstrated at both motifs in vitro and in vivo. The presence of intact GC boxes is essential for minimal promoter action. Thus, transcription factors of the Sp family are important regulators of the WFS1 promoter. A further up-regulating control region was identified containing three CCAAT box binding motifs; all demonstrated a reduction in expression after mutation. One CCAAT box represented part of a predicted ER stress response element.
authors.affiliation: Section of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Birmingham, The IBR, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ricketts
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zatyka
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Barrett
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D023081:CCAAT-Binding Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D047369:Chromatin Immunoprecipitation; D019295:Computational Biology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D020218:Response Elements; D016329:Sp1 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D051705:Sp3 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D014929:Wolfram Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D023081:CCAAT-Binding Factor; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D016329:Sp1 Transcription Factor; C114987:wolframin protein; D051705:Sp3 Transcription Factor