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Nuclear factor NF-kappa B can interact functionally with its cognate binding site to provide lymphoid-specific
1Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142.
The EMBO Journal
|October 1, 1988
Summary
The nuclear factor NF-kappa B can activate both enhancer and promoter functions. This suggests that gene regulation involves similar transcription events for both elements.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- Enhancers and promoters are cis-acting DNA elements regulating gene expression.
- These elements contain binding sites for specific transcription factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if transcription factors binding to enhancer sequences differ functionally from promoter-binding factors.
- To investigate the promoter activity of a DNA sequence element from the immunoglobulin kappa light chain enhancer that binds NF-kappa B.
Main Methods:
- A synthetic oligonucleotide with the NF-kappa B binding site was placed upstream of the beta-globin TATA element.
- Transcription was assessed in myeloma cells, fibroblasts, and pre-B cells.
Main Results:
- The NF-kappa B binding site efficiently directed transcription in myeloma cells.
- Promoter activity correlated with the presence of nuclear factor NF-kappa B.
- Transcription was absent in cells lacking NF-kappa B and could be stimulated in pre-B cells upon NF-kappa B activation.
Conclusions:
- The nuclear factor NF-kappa B can function as a positive activator for both enhancer and promoter elements.
- This finding suggests that enhancer and promoter functions involve similar molecular events in gene transcription.