Related Experiment Videos
Transcriptional termination between the closely linked human complement genes C2 and factor B: common termination
R Ashfield1, P Enriquez-Harris, N J Proudfoot
1Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, UK.
The EMBO Journal
|December 1, 1991
Summary
Transcriptional termination signals were identified between human complement genes C2 and Factor B. These signals, similar to those in the alpha 2 globin gene, involve protein binding and orientation-dependent function for RNA polymerase II transcription.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- Understanding transcriptional termination is crucial for gene expression regulation.
- The precise mechanisms of termination for closely spaced genes are not fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize transcriptional termination signals between human complement genes C2 and Factor B.
- To investigate the role of specific DNA sequences and protein interactions in termination.
Main Methods:
- Nuclear run-off assays to measure nascent RNA synthesis.
- Poly(A) site competition assays to assess termination efficiency.
- Analysis of DNA sequence function and protein binding interactions.
Main Results:
- Transcriptional termination occurs downstream of the C2 poly(A) site, between C2 and Factor B genes.
- Both C2 and alpha 2 globin termination signals are orientation-dependent and involve protein binding.
- A protein implicated in c-myc attenuation also binds to the C2 termination sequence.
Conclusions:
- Downstream sequences near poly(A) sites act as general transcriptional termination signals for RNA polymerase II.
- Protein-DNA interactions are critical components of these termination mechanisms.