Separate Regulatory Regions Research Articles

Copy number variation of two separate regulatory regions upstream of SOX9 causes isolated 46,XY or 46,XX disorder of sex development

BackgroundSOX9 mutations cause the skeletal malformation syndrome campomelic dysplasia in combination with XY sex reversal. Studies in mice indicate that SOX9 acts as a testis-inducing transcription factor downstream of SRY,...

Regulation of ISWI involves inhibitory modules antagonized by nucleosomal epitopes

Chromatin remodeling complexes (CRCs) mobilize nucleosomes to mediate the access of DNA-binding factors to their sites in vivo. These CRCs contain a catalytic subunit that bears an ATPase/DNA translocase domain, and flanking regions that bind nucleosomal epitopes1. A central question is whether and how these flanking regions regulate ATP hydrolysis or the coupling of hydrolysis to DNA translocation, to affect nucleosome sliding efficiency. ISWIfamily CRCs contain ISWI2, which utilizes its ATPase/DNA translocase domain to pump DNA around the histone octamer to enable sliding3-7_ENREF_13. ISWI is positively regulated by two ‘activating’ nucleosomal epitopes: the ‘basic patch’ on the H4 tail, and extranucleosomal (linker) DNA8-13. Previous work defined the HSS domain in the ISWI C-terminus that binds linker DNA, needed for ISWI activity14,15. Here, we define two new, conserved, and separate regulatory regions on Drosophila ISWI, AutoN and NegC, that negatively regulate ATP hydrolysis (AutoN) or the coupling of ATP hydrolysis to productive DNA translocation (NegC). Rather than ‘activating’, the two aforementioned nucleosomal epitopes actually inhibit the negative regulation of AutoN and NegC. Remarkably, mutation/removal of AutoN and NegC enables significant nucleosome sliding without the H4 ‘basic patch’ or extranucleosomal DNA, or the HSS domain – converting ISWI to biochemical attributes of SWI/SNF-family ATPases. Thus, the ISWI ATPase catalytic core is an intrinsically-active DNA translocase which conducts nucleosome sliding, onto which selective ‘inhibition-of-inhibition’ modules are placed, to help ensure that remodeling occurs only in the presence of proper nucleosomal epitopes. This supports a general concept for the specialization of chromatin remodeling ATPases, where specific regulatory modules adapt an ancient active DNA translocase to conduct particular tasks only on the appropriate chromatin landscape.

Structure of the Acid-sensing ion channel 1 in complex with the gating modifier Psalmotoxin 1

Venom-derived peptide toxins can modify the gating characteristics of excitatory channels in neurons. How they bind and interfere with the flow of ions without directly blocking the ion permeation pathway remains elusive. Here we report the crystal structure of the trimeric chicken Acid-sensing ion channel 1 in complex with the highly selective gating modifier Psalmotoxin 1 at 3.0 Å resolution. The structure reveals the molecular interactions of three toxin molecules binding at the proton-sensitive acidic pockets of Acid-sensing ion channel 1 and electron density consistent with a cation trapped in the central vestibule above the ion pathway. A hydrophobic patch and a basic cluster are the key structural elements of Psalmotoxin 1 binding, locking two separate regulatory regions in their relative, desensitized-like arrangement. Our results provide a general concept for gating modifier toxin binding suggesting that both surface motifs are required to modify the gating characteristics of an ion channel.

Aspergillus Volatiles Regulate Aflatoxin Synthesis and Asexual Sporulation in Aspergillus parasiticus

Aspergillus parasiticus is one primary source of aflatoxin contamination in economically important crops. To prevent the potential health and economic impacts of aflatoxin contamination, our goal is to develop practical strategies to reduce aflatoxin synthesis on susceptible crops. One focus is to identify biological and environmental factors that regulate aflatoxin synthesis and to manipulate these factors to control aflatoxin biosynthesis in the field or during crop storage. In the current study, we analyzed the effects of aspergillus volatiles on growth, development, aflatoxin biosynthesis, and promoter activity in the filamentous fungus A. parasiticus. When colonies of Aspergillus nidulans and A. parasiticus were incubated in the same growth chamber, we observed a significant reduction in aflatoxin synthesis and asexual sporulation by A. parasiticus. Analysis of the headspace gases demonstrated that A. nidulans produced much larger quantities of 2-buten-1-ol (CA) and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol (EH) than A. parasiticus. In its pure form, EH inhibited growth and increased aflatoxin accumulation in A. parasiticus at all doses tested; EH also stimulated aflatoxin transcript accumulation. In contrast, CA exerted dose-dependent up-regulatory or down-regulatory effects on aflatoxin accumulation, conidiation, and aflatoxin transcript accumulation. Experiments with reporter strains carrying nor-1 promoter deletions and mutations suggested that the differential effects of CA were mediated through separate regulatory regions in the nor-1 promoter. The potential efficacy of CA as a tool for analysis of transcriptional regulation of aflatoxin biosynthesis is discussed. We also identify a novel, rapid, and reliable method to assess norsolorinic acid accumulation in solid culture using a Chroma Meter CR-300 apparatus.

A site-directed mutagenesis interrogation of the carboxy-terminal end of Arabidopsis thaliana threonine dehydratase/deaminase reveals a synergistic interaction between two effector-binding sites and contributes to the development of a novel selectable marker

We fused four mutant omr1 alleles, encoding feedback-insensitive forms of Arabidopsis thaliana biosynthetic threonine dehydratase/deaminase (TD), to the CaMV 35S promoter and transformed these constructs into A. thaliana Columbia wild type plants. The mutant TD forms consisted of our previously isolated double mutant, omr1-1 , and three new site-directed mutants, omr1-5 , omr1-7 , and omr1-8 with single point mutations. We employed site-directed mutagenesis to assay the effects of amino acid substitutions in separate regulatory regions within the carboxy-terminal (C-term) allosteric end. TD assays and growth resistance to the isoleucine (Ile) toxic analog -O-methylthreonine (OMT) confirmed the desensitization to feedback inhibition and the viability of these mutant omr1 alleles as selectable markers, respectively. Two of the site-directed mutants, omr1-5 and omr1-7 , appeared to influence one of the two separate Ile-binding sites and had a notable 13-fold and 15-fold increase in free Ile, respectively. The omr1-8 appeared to influence the other Ile-binding site and resulted in a 2-fold increase in free Ile. The transgenic omr1-1 double mutant affecting both Ile-binding sites, however, displayed a 106-fold increase in free Ile revealing a profound synergistic interplay between these separate Ile-binding sites. While all of the four omr1 alleles conferred resistance to elevated concentrations of OMT, the progeny of omr1-1 initial transformants exhibited a bushy phenotype at the rosette stage. On the other hand, progeny of transformants omr1-5 , omr1-7 , and omr1-8 had a normal phenotype, undistinguishable from wild type. Therefore, alleles omr1-5 , omr1-7 , and omr1-8 , proved to be ideal as environmentally-friendly, dominant, selectable markers for plant transformation.

A General Approach for Identifying Distant Regulatory Elements Applied to the Gdf6 Gene

Regulatory sequences in higher genomes can map large distances from gene coding regions, and cannot yet be identified by simple inspection of primary DNA sequence information. Here we describe an efficient method of surveying large genomic regions for gene regulatory information, and subdividing complex sets of distant regulatory elements into smaller intervals for detailed study. The mouse Gdf6 gene is expressed in a number of distinct embryonic locations that are involved in the patterning of skeletal and soft tissues. To identify sequences responsible for Gdf6 regulation, we first isolated a series of overlapping bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) that extend varying distances upstream and downstream of the gene. A LacZ reporter cassette was integrated into the Gdf6 transcription unit of each BAC using homologous recombination in bacteria. Each modified BAC was injected into fertilized mouse eggs, and founder transgenic embryos were analyzed for LacZ expression mid-gestation. The overlapping segments defined by the BAC clones revealed five separate regulatory regions that drive LacZ expression in 11 distinct anatomical locations. To further localize sequences that control expression in developing skeletal joints, we created a series of BAC constructs with precise deletions across a putative joint-control region. This approach further narrowed the critical control region to an area containing several stretches of sequence that are highly conserved between mice and humans. A distant 2.9-kilobase fragment containing the highly conserved regions is able to direct very specific expression of a minimal promoter/LacZ reporter in proximal limb joints. These results demonstrate that even distant, complex regulatory sequences can be identified using a combination of BAC scanning, BAC deletion, and comparative sequencing approaches.

Regulatory domains of the A-Myb transcription factor and its interaction with the CBP/p300 adaptor molecules.

The A-Myb transcription factor belongs to the Myb family of oncoproteins and is likely to be involved in the regulation of proliferation and/or differentiation of normal B cells and Burkitt's lymphoma cells. To characterize in detail the domains of A-Myb that regulate its function, we have generated a series of deletion mutants and have investigated their trans-activation potential as well as their DNA-binding activity. Our results have allowed us to delineate the trans-activation domain as well as two separate regulatory regions. The boundaries of the trans-activation domain (amino acid residues 218-319) are centred on a sequence rich in charged amino acids (residues 259-281). A region (residues 320-482) localized immediately downstream of the trans-activation domain and containing a newly identified conserved stretch of 48 residues markedly inhibits specific DNA binding. Finally the last 110 residues of A-Myb (residues 643-752), which include a sequence conserved in all mammalian myb genes (region III), negatively regulate the maximal trans-activation potential of A-Myb. We have also investigated the functional interaction between A-Myb and the nuclear adaptor molecule CBP [cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-binding protein]. We demonstrate that CBP synergizes with A-Myb in a dose-dependent fashion, and that this co-operative effect can be inhibited by E1A and can also be observed with the CBP homologue p300. We show that this functional synergism requires the presence of the A-Myb charged sequence and that it involves physical interaction between A-Myb and the CREB-binding domain of CBP.

An Androgen Response Element in a Far Upstream Enhancer Region Is Essential for High, Androgen-Regulated Activity of the Prostate-Specific Antigen Promoter

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is expressed at a high level in the luminal epithelial cells of the prostate and is absent or expressed at very low levels in other tissues. PSA expression can be regulated by androgens. Previously, two functional androgen-response elements were identified in the proximal promoter of the PSA gene. To detect additional, more distal control elements, DNaseI-hypersensitive sites (DHSs) upstream of the PSA gene were mapped in chromatin from the prostate-derived cell line LNCaP grown in the presence and absence of the synthetic androgen R1881. In a region 4.8 to 3.8 kb upstream of the transcription start site of the PSA gene, a cluster of three DHSs was detected. The middle DNAseI-hypersensitive site (DHSII, at ∼−4.2 kb) showed strong androgen responsiveness in LNCaP cells and was absent in chromatin from HeLa cells. Further analysis of the region encompassing DHSII provided evidence for the presence of a complex, androgen-responsive and cell-specific enhancer. In transient transfected LNCaP cells, PSA promoter constructs containing this upstream enhancer region showed approximately 3000-fold higher activity in the presence than in the absence of R1881. The core region of the enhancer could be mapped within a 440-bp fragment. The enhancer showed synergistic cooperation with the proximal PSA promoter and was found to be composed of at least three separate regulatory regions. In the center, a functionally active, high-affinity androgen receptor binding site (GGAACATATTGTATC) could be identified. Mutation of this element almost completely abolished PSA promoter activity. Transfection experiments in prostate and nonprostate cell lines showed largely LNCaP cell specificity of the upstream enhancer region, although some activity was found in the T47D mammary tumor cell line.

Analysis of the Human CD10/Neutral Endopeptidase 24.11 Promoter Region: Two Separate Regulatory Elements

The cell surface zinc metalloproteinase CD10/neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP) is expressed on normal and malignant lymphoid progenitors, granulocytes, and a variety of epithelial cells. To further define the tissue-specific and developmentally related expression of CD10/NEP, we have characterized two separate regulatory regions that control the transcription of 5' alternatively spliced CD10/NEP transcripts. These type 1 and 2 CD10/NEP regulatory regions are both characterized by the presence of multiple transcription initiation sites and the absence of classic TATA boxes and consensus initiator elements. The purine-rich type 1 regulatory region, which includes 5' UTR exon 1 sequence, is characterized by multiple putative PU.1 binding sites and consensus ets-binding motifs. In marked contrast, the GC-rich type 2 regulatory region contains multiple putative Sp1 binding sites, a potential consensus retinoblastoma control element (RCE), and an inverted CCAAT box. In the majority of tissues examined to date, type 2 CD10/NEP transcripts were more abundant; the abundance of type 1 transcripts was more variable, with the highest type 1 levels in fetal thymus and certain lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines.

Embryonic expression patterns of the drosophila decapentaplegic gene: Separate regulatory elements control blastoderm expression and lateral ectodermal expression

Patterns of decapentaplegic (dpp) transcripts derived from the intact gene were compared to the patterns of transcripts generated by partial dpp transgenes in Drosophila embryos. Sequences closest to the dpp coding regions, the dpp hin region, were sufficient to express lacZ-tagged mRNA in patterns indistinguishable from the patterns of endogenous dpp expression in the dorsal and terminal cells at the blastoderm stage, in the dorsal ectoderm during germ band elongation, and in narrow stripes of ectodermal cells along the dorsal edge of the ectoderm and at the boundary between the lateral and ventral neurogenic regions during germ band shortening. The latter pattern of expression responded to the segment polarity genes naked and wingless. However, these dpp sequences were not sufficient to drive lacZ-tagged mRNA expression in other cells normally expressing dpp, including cells in the gnathal segments, the clypeolabrum, the foregut, the midgut visceral mesoderm, and the hindgut. Two separate regulatory regions were found in the dpp hin region. A 479 bp region upstream of the promoter was necessary for the segmented pattern of expression in the lateral ectoderm and for expression in the midgut endoderm. Cis-acting elements in the 2 kbp second intron directed expression in the dorsal and terminal regions of the blastoderm, acted on a heterologous promoter, the P-element promoter, and responded to pattern information derived from the maternal effect dorsal/ventral patterning genes.

Specific cis-acting sequence for PHO8 expression interacts with PHO4 protein, a positive regulatory factor, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The PHO8 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes repressible alkaline phosphatase (rALPase; EC 3.1.3.1). The rALPase activity of the cells is two to three times higher in medium containing a low concentration of Pi than in high-Pi medium due to transcription of PHO8. The Pi signals are conveyed to PHO8 by binding of PHO4 protein, a positive regulatory factor, to a promoter region of PHO8 (PHO8p) under the influence of the PHO regulatory circuit. Deletion analysis of PHO8p DNA revealed two separate regulatory regions required for derepression of rALPase located at nucleotide positions -704 to -661 (distal region) and -548 to -502 (proximal region) and an inhibitory region located at -421 to -289 relative to the translation initiation codon. Gel retardation experiments showed that a beta-galactosidase-PHO4 fusion protein binds to a 132-bp PHO8p fragment bearing the proximal region but not to a 226-bp PHO8 DNA bearing the distal region. The fusion protein also binds to a synthetic oligonucleotide having the same 12-bp nucleotide sequence as the PHO8p DNA from positions -536 to -525. The 132-bp PHO8p fragment, connected at position -281 of the 5' upstream region of a HIS5'-'lacZ fused gene, could sense Pi signals in vivo, but a 20-bp synthetic oligonucleotide having the same sequence from -544 to -525 of the PHO8p DNA could not. Linker insertions in the PHO8p DNA indicated that the 5-bp sequence 5'-CACGT-3' from positions -535 to -531 is essential for binding the beta-galactosidase-PHO4 fusion protein and for derepression of rALPase.

Specific cis-Acting Sequence for PH08 Expression Interacts with PH04 Protein, a Positive Regulatory Factor, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The PHO8 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes repressible alkaline phosphatase (rALPase; EC 3.1.3.1). The rALPase activity of the cells is two to three times higher in medium containing a low concentration of Pi than in high-Pi medium due to transcription of PHO8. The Pi signals are conveyed to PHO8 by binding of PHO4 protein, a positive regulatory factor, to a promoter region of PHO8 (PHO8p) under the influence of the PHO regulatory circuit. Deletion analysis of PHO8p DNA revealed two separate regulatory regions required for derepression of rALPase located at nucleotide positions -704 to -661 (distal region) and -548 to -502 (proximal region) and an inhibitory region located at -421 to -289 relative to the translation initiation codon. Gel retardation experiments showed that a beta-galactosidase-PHO4 fusion protein binds to a 132-bp PHO8p fragment bearing the proximal region but not to a 226-bp PHO8 DNA bearing the distal region. The fusion protein also binds to a synthetic oligonucleotide having the same 12-bp nucleotide sequence as the PHO8p DNA from positions -536 to -525. The 132-bp PHO8p fragment, connected at position -281 of the 5' upstream region of a HIS5'-'lacZ fused gene, could sense Pi signals in vivo, but a 20-bp synthetic oligonucleotide having the same sequence from -544 to -525 of the PHO8p DNA could not. Linker insertions in the PHO8p DNA indicated that the 5-bp sequence 5'-CACGT-3' from positions -535 to -531 is essential for binding the beta-galactosidase-PHO4 fusion protein and for derepression of rALPase.