title: Modulation of gene expression using zinc finger-based artificial transcription factors.
abstract: Artificial transcription factors (ATFs) consist of a transcriptional effector domain fused to a DNA-binding domain such as an engineered zinc finger protein (ZFP). Depending on the effector domain, ATFs can up- or downregulate gene expression and thus represent powerful tools in biomedical research and allow novel approaches in clinical practice. Here, we describe the construction of ATFs directed against the promoter of the epithelial cell adhesion molecule and against the promoter of the RNA component of telomerase. Methods to assess DNA binding of the engineered ZFP as well as to determine and improve the cellular effect of ATFs on (endogenous) promoter activity are described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stolzenburg
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bilsland
authors.forename: W Nicol
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Keith
authors.forename: Marianne G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Rots
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D015202:Protein Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016335:Zinc Fingers / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D014157:Transcription Factors