Abstract

Transcriptional activity of human estrogen receptor (hER) gene was modulated by competition with double-stranded PCR-generated DNA fragments (decoys) that contain 5' upstream sequences of the hER gene. Two DNA fragments belonging to the P1 canonical promoter and the P3 distal promoter, 120 and 102 bp in size respectively, were produced by PCR and directly transfected in MCF7 breast cancer cells. After 24 hours transfection, RT-PCR analysis revealed that the 120 bp decoy significantly reduced the expression of the ER gene and estrogen responsive genes (PR and c-myc), whereas the 102 bp decoy increased the ER mRNA level. An ER unrelated PCR product, used as control, had no activity. The biological activity of these ds DNAs was related to their high stability, binding affinities, and lack of cytotoxicity. These findings suggest that such PCR product decoys may be a non-antisense tool to analyze putative regulatory sequences and to study the function of DNA-binding transcription factors.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.