Taenia solium TAF6 and TAF9 binds to a putative Downstream Promoter Element present in TsTBP1 gene core promoter

We have cloned and characterized the gene encoding to Taenia solium TATA binding protein 1 (TsTBP1). It spans 1481 bp and its coding region is interrupted by four introns that possess the consensus donor/acceptor sequences. It produces a protein of 238 amino acids residues, which presented all the classical motives of the TBP1. On the core promoter region we identified putative binding sites for NF1, AP-1, YY1, TAF1/TAF2 and TAF6/TAF9, and the TSS that corresponds to an A+1. Southern and Northern blot analysis showed that TsTBP1 is encoded by a single gene, which produce a messenger of about 1.1 kbp with a higher differential expression in adult than the larval stage. Moreover, two putative TATA boxes were identified at -97 and -69 bp (relative to the TSS), likewise a Downstream Promoter Element (DPE) was located at +27 to +31 bp. EMSA experiments did not show any component of cysticerci nuclear extracts bound to the putative TATA-box elements; in contrast TAF6 and TAF9 bind to the DPE, showing that TsTBP1 is a TATA-less gen. On the other hand, TAF6 and TAF9 were localized on the nucleus from cells of T. crassiceps cysticerci bladder walls. By using the amino acid sequences of T. solium TAF6 (TsTAF6) and TAF9 (TsTAF9), we constructed a molecular model showing interaction between DPE-TsTAF6 and TsTAF6-TsTAF9. Finally, an in silico analysis of the core promoters of Taeniidae family genes showed that TATA-box and DPE are homologous to the mammalian elements, but not so the Inr. The low identity between TAF9 from cestodes and mammals open the possibility to use it as target to interrupt or modulate the transcription of TATA-box less genes in cestodes as a novel therapeutic strategy.Author summaryNeurocysticercosis still being a health problem in developing countries. Mexico reports a prevalence of 2.5% in the total patients from National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery. Several efforts have been made in different fields to study Taenia solium, and although the Genome Project has been published and released the genomic sequence of this parasite; the transcriptional mechanisms this organism remains unexplored. We isolated and characterized Taenia solium TATA-Binding Protein 1 (TsTBP1) gene and TBP-associated factor 6 and 9 cDNAs (TsTAF6 and TsTAF9, respectively). Our principal findings are: 1.- Identification of cis and trans elements in the core promoter of TsTBP1 gene. 2.- The TsTBP1 gene is a TATA-less promoter. 3.- Cloning of cDNAs to TsTAF6 and TsTAF9, 4.- Identification of a DPE in the core promoter of TsTBP1 gene, which interacts with TAF6 and TAF9, 5.- Construction of a molecular model that shows the interaction between DPE, TAF6, and TAF9; and 6.- A proposal of consensus sequences for TATA-box, Inr and DPE presented on Taeniidae family core promoters.

Human potassium chloride cotransporter 1 (SLC12A4) promoter is regulated by AP-2 and contains a functional downstream promoter element

Most K-Cl cotransport in the erythrocyte is attributed to potassium chloride cotransporter 1 (KCC1). K-Cl cotransport is elevated in sickle erythrocytes, and the KCC1 gene has been proposed as a modifier gene in sickle cell disease. To provide insight into our understanding of the regulation of the human KCC1 gene, we mapped the 5′ end of the KCC1 cDNA, cloned the corresponding genomic DNA, and identified the KCC1 gene promoter. The core promoter lacks a TATA box and is composed of an initiator element (InR) and a downstream promoter element (DPE), a combination found primarily in Drosophila gene promoters and rarely observed in mammalian gene promoters. Mutational analyses demonstrated that both the InR and DPE sites were critical for full promoter activity. In vitro DNase I footprinting, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and reporter gene assays identified functional AP-2 and Sp1 sites in this region. The KCC1 promoter was transactivated by forced expression of AP-2 in heterologous cells. Sequences encoding the InR, DPE, AP-2, and Sp1 sites were 100% conserved between human and murine KCC1 genes. In vivo studies using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays with antihistone H3 and antihistone H4 antibodies demonstrated hyperacetylation of this core promoter region. (Blood. 2004;103:4302-4309)

The Downstream Promoter Element DPE Appears To Be as Widely Used as the TATA Box in Drosophila Core Promoters

ABSTRACT The downstream promoter element (DPE) functions cooperatively with the initiator (Inr) for the binding of TFIID in the transcription of core promoters in the absence of a TATA box. We examined the properties of sequences that can function as a DPE as well as the range of promoters that use the DPE as a core promoter element. By using an in vitro transcription assay, we identified 17 new DPE-dependent promoters and found that all possessed identical spacing between the Inr and DPE. Moreover, mutational analysis indicated that the insertion or deletion of a single nucleotide between the Inr and DPE causes a reduction in transcriptional activity and TFIID binding. To explore the range of sequences that can function as a DPE, we constructed and analyzed randomized promoter libraries. These experiments yielded the DPE functional range set, which represents sequences that contribute to or are compatible with DPE function. We then analyzed the DPE functional range set in conjunction with a Drosophila core promoter database that we compiled from 205 promoters with accurately mapped start sites. Somewhat surprisingly, the DPE sequence motif is as common as the TATA box in Drosophila promoters. There is, in addition, a striking adherence of Inr sequences to the Inr consensus in DPE-containing promoters relative to DPE-less promoters. Furthermore, statistical and biochemical analyses indicated that a G nucleotide between the Inr and DPE contributes to transcription from DPE-containing promoters. Thus, these data reveal that the DPE exhibits a strict spacing requirement yet some sequence flexibility and appears to be as widely used as the TATA box in Drosophila.