title: Nuclear localization of reporter genes activated by curved DNA.
abstract: Curved DNA structures with a left-handed superhelical conformation can activate eukaryotic transcription. Mechanistically, these structures favor binding to histone cores and can function as a docking site for sliding nucleosomes. Thus, promoters with this kind of curved DNA can adopt a more open structure, facilitating transcription initiation. However, whether the curved DNA segment can affect localization of a reporter gene is an open question. Localization of a gene in the nucleus often plays an important role in its expression and this phenomenon may also have a curved DNA-dependent mechanism. We examined this issue in transient and stable assay systems using a 180-bp synthetic curved DNA with a left-handed superhelical conformation. The results clearly showed that curved DNA of this kind does not have a property to deliver reporter constructs to nuclear positions that are preferable for transcription. We also identify the spatial location to which electroporation delivers a reporter plasmid in the nucleus.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 2-2 Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan.
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Udagawa
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Hideyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanabe
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohyama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004278:DNA, Superhelical / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017930:Genes, Reporter / Q000235:genetics*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D004278:DNA, Superhelical; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins