The vertebrate 7S K RNA separates hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) and lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis).

7S RNA sequences from the hagfish (Myxiniformes) and lamprey (Petromyzontiformes) were cloned and analyzed. In both species, 7S L RNA (also designated SRP RNA, since it represents the RNA constituent of the signal recognition particle) was clearly detectable. The sequence similarity between the two species was 86%, compared with about 75% similarity between either of these species and mammals. 7S K RNA was also cloned from the lamprey. The similarity between the 7S K RNA of the lamprey and that of mammals was 68%. Interestingly, several interspersed elements were found with nearly 100% similarity compared with mammals. In contrast to the lamprey, no 7S K RNA-related sequences were detectable among hagfish RNA, neither in northern blots nor with the PCR assay. In view of the significant conservation between the 7S K RNA of lamprey and that of mammals (human), this unexpected result clearly separates lamprey and hagfish. In addition, the lack of detectable 7S K RNA sequences in an outgroup, such as amphioxus, indicates that these results do not reflect an autapomorphy of hagfish. Therefore, our data provide additional support to the notion of a sister group relationship between Petromyzontiformes and gnathostomous vertebrates to the exclusion of Myxiniformes.

Analysis of transcription factors binding to the human 7SL RNA gene promoter.

Transcription of the human 7SL RNA gene by RNA polymerase III depends on the concerted action of transcription factors binding to the gene-internal and gene-external parts of its promoter. Here, we investigated which transcription factors interact with the human 7SL RNA gene promoter and which are required for transcription of the human 7SL RNA gene. A-box/B-box elements were previously identified in 5S RNA, tRNA, and virus associated RNA genes and are recognized by transcription factor IIIC (TFIIIC). The gene-internal promoter region of the human 7SL RNA gene shows only limited similarity to those elements. Nevertheless, competition experiments and the use of highly enriched factor preparations demonstrate that TFIIIC is required for human 7SL transcription. The gene-external part of the promoter includes an authentic cAMP-responsive element previously identified in various RNA polymerase II promoters. Here we demonstrate that members of the activating transcription factor/cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein (ATF/CREB) transcription factor family bind specifically to this element in vitro. However, the human 7SL RNA gene is not regulated by cAMP in vivo. Furthermore, in vitro transcription of the gene does not depend on ATF/CREB transcription factors. It rather appears that a transcription factor with DNA-binding characteristics like ATF/CREB proteins but otherwise different properties is required for human 7SL RNA transcription.

Two internal sequence elements modulate transcription from the external human 7S K RNA gene promoter in vivo.

Constructs of the external promoter of the human 7S K RNA gene in combination with different reporter elements and varying amounts of 7S K internal sequences were analyzed for efficient transcription by RNA polymerase III (pol III) in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the 7S K promoter alone (-245 to -1) revealed full activity, compared to the entire wild-type gene. In vivo, however, the activity of the gene-external 7S K promoter, albeit clearly functional by itself, was positively modulated by internal sequence elements. Fusion constructs containing increasing amounts of transcribed 7S K sequences revealed that two elements were responsible for this activation. One element is associated with the initiator region (+1 to +8) of this class III gene. The second sequence comprises the 5' half of a cryptic A-box starting at +10 of the 7S K RNA sequence. In the context of a totally unrelated vector sequence, a GGC element alone was sufficient to functionally replace that cryptic A-box. Thus, it appears that in context of the 7S K RNA gene--and possibly the 7S L and U6 RNA genes as well--structurally divergent A-box-like elements function as internal modulators of these pol III promoters.

Faithful in vitro transcription by fission yeast RNA polymerase III reveals unique alpha-amanitin sensitivity.

Transcription with fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) RNA polymerase III (pol III) was studied in two different in vitro systems. Reactions performed with isolated nuclei gave rise to 5S and pre-tRNA molecules. Because the alpha-amanitin sensitivity of that reaction clearly differed from what has been observed with pol III enzymes of other eukaryotes, a cell-free S. pombe transcription extract was developed and analyzed with the homologous 7S L RNA (srp RNA; signal recognition particle RNA) gene. Synthesis of 7S L RNA was found to be sensitive to high concentrations of alpha-amanitin, with 50% reduction seen at 400 microg/ml of the toxin. However, even with very high alpha-amanitin concentrations, exceeding 1 mg/ml, no full inhibition of the S. pombe pol III enzyme could be obtained. Together, these results demonstrate that in contrast to the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, pol III from S. pombe is sensitive to high concentrations of alpha-amanitin, yet with a clearly different dose response than that observed with the corresponding RNA polymerase of higher eukaryotes. Furthermore, while the S. pombe 7S L RNA gene was efficiently transcribed in HeLa cell extracts, the human 7S L RNA gene was not actively transcribed in the S. pombe system. This finding of divergent promoter structures of both genes was verified by the analysis of 5' deletion mutants of the S. pombe 7S L RNA gene.

Expression levels of heat shock factors are not functionally coupled to the rate of expression of heat shock genes.

The expression patterns of two mammalian heat shock factors (HSFs) were analysed in cell systems known to reflect an altered heat shock response. For being able to discriminate between the two closely related factors HSF 1 and HSF 2, specific cDNA sequences were cloned and used to generate antisense RNAs as hybridization probes. In general, in various cell lines expression of the two heat shock factors was clearly different. These expression patterns of the HSF genes were not influenced by retinoic acid-induced differentiation of human NT2 and mouse F9 teratocarcinoma cells. Generally, HSF 2 expression was extremely low, whereas the significantly higher expression of HSF 1 revealed cell specific differences. The highest expression rates of both HSFs were observed in 293 cells. To examine whether these high levels are involved in the constitutive expression of heat shock genes in these cells, we analysed the binding pattern of 293 cell proteins to the heat shock elements (HSEs). As with other cells, HSE-binding activity in 293 cells was only observed after heat shock treatment. This points to an HSE-independent way for high level expression of heat shock genes in these cells.

A highly specific terminal uridylyl transferase modifies the 3'-end of U6 small nuclear RNA.

HeLa cell extracts contain significant amounts of terminal uridylyl transferase (TUTase) activity. In a template-independent reaction with labeled UTP, these enzymes are capable of modifying a broad spectrum of cellular RNA molecules in vitro . However, fractionation of cell extracts by gel filtration clearly separated two independent activities. In addition to a non-specific enzyme, an additional terminal uridylyl transferase has been identified that is highly specific for cellular and in vitro synthesized U6 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) molecules. This novel TUTase enzyme was also able to select as an efficient substrate U6 snRNA species from higher eucaryotes. In contrast, no labeling was detectable with purified fission yeast RNA. Using synthetic RNAs containing different amounts of transcribed 3'-end UMP residues, high resolution gel electrophoresis revealed that U6 snRNA species with three terminal U nucleotides served as the optimal substrate for the transferase reaction. The 3'-end modification of the optimal synthetic substrate was identical to that observed with endogenous U6 snRNA isolated from HeLa cells. Therefore, we conclude that the specific addition of UMP residues to 3'-recessed U6 snRNA molecules reflects a recycling process, ensuring the functional regeneration for pre-mRNA splicing of this snRNA.

Secondary structure of the nascent 7S L RNA mediates efficient transcription by RNA polymerase III.

A structural motif at the 5' end of human 7S L (srp) RNA that is recognized specifically by cellular proteins has been identified as an efficient activator of RNA polymerase (pol) III transcription in vivo and in vitro. Mutations affecting three double-stranded regions or a tetranucleotide bulge of this RNA motif result in strongly reduced expression rates. However, effective suppression is achieved by compensatory mutations restoring RNA sequence complementarity. This activation of transcription is also observed in the context of another pol III promoter and is position-dependent. The effects observed are reminiscent of the Tat-TAR trans-activation of the human immunodeficiency virus and attribute a novel function to the structure of cellular small stable RNA.

Basal level transcription of the human hsp86 gene is directed by intron-based elements.

BACKGROUND: The heat shock response includes the syntheses of three major size-classes of heat shock proteins (hsps) designated as class 20, 70 and 90 hsps, respectively. In contrast to the class 20 and 70 hsp genes, those coding for the class 90 hsps are already actively transcribed in the non-induced state. RESULTS: We have shown that the increased basal level transcription of the human hsp86 gene depends on the presence of the first intron. Furthermore, intron 1 of the hsp86 gene was also capable of conferring increased basal level transcription on the human hsp70 promoter. Finally, the intron I-based sequence elements of the hsp86 gene mediated an effective rescue of 5'-truncated hsp70 and hsp86 promoters. In contrast, such a rescue of inactivated promoters was not obtained with the viral SV40 gene enhancer which is often also capable of stimulating basal level expression. CONCLUSIONS: Element(s) which direct the basal transcription of the human hsp86 gene at normal physiological temperatures are located within the first intron of the gene. It is conceivable that this intron-dependent activation of basal hsp86 transcription reflects a fundamental requirement for this protein in the context of cellular growth and metabolism under non-stress conditions.

The seemingly identical 7SK and U6 core promoters depend on different transcription factor complexes.

Fractions obtained from HeLa cell extracts were used to study RNA polymerase III-catalyzed transcription from the human 7SK and mouse U6 RNA promoters in vitro. Although both genes depend on two almost identical core promoter elements (TATA box and PSE), different fractions were required. The 7SK promoter revealed full activity with the phosphocellulose B fraction alone. In contrast, efficient transcription from the U6 promoter depended on the additional presence of the C or D fraction. The analysis of the b1 and b2 subfractions (obtained by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography) revealed that for both promoters the b1 and the phosphocellulose D fraction were mutually interchangeable. However, while both fractions were fully equivalent for the 7SK promoter, the U6 promoter revealed an additional requirement for the C fraction in the presence of the b1 fraction. Since the b1 and the D fractions enclose two different complexes of the TATA-binding protein (TBP), B-TFIID and D-TFIID, our results indicate that functionally these two complexes are responsible for the observed differences in transcription of the 7SK and U6 genes.

A single base pair deletion from the inactive octamer-like motif of the 7S K distal sequence element brings full functionality in vivo.

Octamer sequence elements were analyzed for their capacity to induce the 7S K "core" promoter in vivo. The U6 distal sequence element (DSE) which contains a consensus sequence octamer, was able to support efficient 7S K expression in vivo. In contrast, no such function could be attributed to the octamer-like element alone, which is present within the 7S K DSE. However, conversion of this octamer-like element (ATTTaGCAT) to the octamer consensus sequence ATTTGCAT generated a potent DSE, even in the absence of the CACCC box, which constitutes the major functional element of the 7S K DSE. Both the consensus and the octamer-like sequences revealed no cooperativity with the CACCC box. Together, these results demonstrate that the octamer-like element of the wild-type 7S K DSE is definitely not functional in vivo. Furthermore, our experiments indicate that in contrast to the RNA polymerase II-transcribed small nuclear RNA genes, in intact cells a single functional DSE motif is necessary and sufficient for maximal transcription by RNA polymerase III of the 7S K RNA gene.

A novel monoclonal antibody directed against the heat-inducible 68 kDa heat shock protein.

A novel monoclonal rat IgM antibody (8F7) is described which detects the inducible 68 kDa heat shock protein (hsp68) in man, mouse, rat, pig and cattle. Hsp68 expression is analysed in various cell types and cell lines by immunoblot with antibody 8F7 and in parallel by autoradiography after metabolic labeling with [35S]methionine. The new antibody cross-reacts with proteins of 180 and 48 kDa, which are not heat shock-inducible and show a pattern of expression different than hsp68.

Activating-transcription-factor (ATF) regulates human 7S L RNA transcription by RNA polymerase III in vivo and in vitro.

The gene-external part of the human 7S L promoter was analyzed by transcription in vitro and in vivo. Compared to the wild type promoter (-178), a -66 5'deletion mutant revealed full activity in vitro but was inefficiently transcribed in vivo. Further deletion to -37 reduced template activity to 50% in vitro and to basal level expression in vivo (below 5%). A DNase I footprint observed around position -50 protected an ATF-like binding site ('TGACGT'). With respect to 7S L transcription regulation, the functionality of this ATF-like binding site was confirmed in competition experiments and by mutation analysis. Furthermore, S100 extracts of cells pretreated with forskolin in vivo to induce the cAMP system, revealed significantly increased transcription of 7S L RNA in vitro, with no effect on a 7S K RNA gene, lacking such an ATF binding site. Thus, the 7S L RNA gene too is controlled by a regulatory element originally defined in class II promoters and represents another rare example where a specific type of transcription regulation in vivo can be mimicked with cell-free extracts in vitro.

Expression of a human 7S K RNA gene in vivo requires a novel pol III upstream element.

The 5'-flanking sequences required for expression of a human 7S K RNA gene have been defined by mutant analysis. A -111 upstream deletion mutant showed full activity when analysed by in vitro transcription with HeLa cell extracts. In contrast, upon transfection into intact cells, this mutant only revealed a basal level activity of approximately 6% as compared to the wild-type promoter up to position -252. The deleted upstream sequence element acts as a transcriptional activator in vivo, in a strictly position and orientation-dependent manner. Two octamer-like binding motifs observed within this upstream sequence were both dispensable for proper function of this RNA polymerase III promoter in vivo. Instead, a detailed analysis of this region identified a CACCC-box element, together with its surrounding base pairs, as the essential upstream element required for expression of this 7S K RNA gene in vivo. Furthermore, this CACCC-box is centered within a footprint obtained with HeLa cell nuclear proteins.

Sequence and factor requirements for faithful in vitro transcription of human 7SL DNA.

We have analysed the transcription of a functional human 7SL gene by RNA polymerase III (RNAPIII) in S100 extracts in vitro. Accurate and efficient synthesis of 7S L RNA depends on the presence of (i) an upstream sequence and (ii) an internal promoter element located within the first 22 bp of the gene. These findings were substantiated by DNase I footprinting. Mutations of the internal promoter identified the doublet CG [nucleotide (nt) +15/+16] outside the A-box homologue (nt +5 to +14) as being essential for both proper promoter function in the in vitro transcription assay and competition in the template-exclusion assay. Fractionation of S100 extracts identified two fractions required in addition to RNAPIII for faithful transcription of the gene. Each of these two fractions gave rise to one of two footprints observed in DNase I protection experiments, indicating that at least two DNA-binding factors are involved.

Cloning and analysis of a human 86-kDa heat-shock-protein-encoding gene.

An 86-kDa heat-shock-protein-encoding (hsp86) cDNA probe permitted to identify, in whole genomic human DNA, two EcoRI fragments of 2.6 and 5.3 kb. These two fragments, as well as an homologous phage lambda VIII1 harboring about 19 kb of human DNA, were isolated from genomic libraries. Sequence analysis revealed that three different genomic hsp86 sequences had been cloned, one of them being the 5' half of a functional gene. This gene contains several introns, as compared to the entire Hsp86-encoding sequence found in lambda VIII1, which represents a processed pseudogene. Cloned hsp86 promoter, with its TATA-box and a heat-shock element upstream at nt positions -25 and -75, respectively, was functional, as verified by fusion to the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase-encoding gene and its transient expression in vivo. The typical hsp86-type heat-shock regulation was observed, i.e., significant basal activity associated with an inducibility at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, accurate and efficient in vitro transcription was initiated at this hsp86 promoter, resulting in expression of the hsp86 gene, as well as the unrelated sequences.

Differential regulation of transcription of human 7 S K and 7 S L RNA genes.

Two functional human genes coding for 7 S RNA species K and L were analyzed for promoter requirements by in vitro transcription experiments with cytoplasmic S-100 extracts. Since accurate and efficient transcription of both genes is dependent on the presence of 5'-flanking sequences, hybrid genes representing crossover fusions between the 5' external control regions and the coding sequences of both genes were analyzed for their capacity to direct RNA synthesis in vitro. Differing results were obtained with both types of constructs. While the 5'-flanking L-7 S K gene fusion revealed no activity in the in vitro transcription assay, the 5'-flanking sequence of the 7 S K RNA gene did confer the ability for accurate in vitro transcription to the 7 S L coding sequence. However, a 5'-flanking L sequence element including the first 22 nucleotides of the 7 S L RNA coding sequence was active in promoting transcription of the 7 S K RNA gene. Together, these results demonstrated that the 7 S L promoter is located inside and outside the coding region, whereas the 7 S K RNA gene is exclusively controlled by an upstream promoter element.

Definition of multiple, functionally distinct TATA elements, one of which is a target in the hsp70 promoter for E1A regulation.

We have dissected the human hsp70 promoter to define sequence elements allowing response to E1A. Alterations of sequence upstream of the TATA element, either with Bal 31 nuclease or by site-directed mutagenesis, had little or no effect on the response of the promoter to E1A. In general, the basal level was reduced, indicating that these sites interact with factors important for transcription, but regulation persisted. Although a CAT gene driven by just the hsp70 TATA (void of upstream sequences) could be stimulated by E1A, a similar construct containing the early SV40 TATA element was not. Analysis of several additional such constructions indicated that the specific sequence TATAA was crucial. Substitution of the TATAA sequence with the SV40 TATTTAT element in the context of the wild-type hsp70 promoter resulted in loss of E1A inducibility, but maintenance of heat inducibility. Replacement of this element with sequences not related to any TATA element resulted in loss of activity and inducibility. Thus, the SV40 TATA equivalent is functional in the context of the hsp70 promoter but cannot be induced by E1A. We conclude that the target for E1A induction of the hsp70 promoter is TATAA, and that multiple functionally distinct TATA elements, and presumably cognate transcription factors, can be distinguished in eukaryotic cells.

Transcription of human 7S K DNA in vitro and in vivo is exclusively controlled by an upstream promoter.

We have analyzed the transcription of a recently isolated human 7S K RNA gene in vitro and in vivo. In contrast to hitherto characterized class III genes (genes transcribed by RNA polymerase III), the coding sequence of this gene is not required for faithful and efficient transcription by RNA polymerase III. In fact, a procaryotic vector DNA sequence was efficiently transcribed by RNA polymerase III under the control of the 7S K RNA gene upstream sequence in vitro and in vivo. S1-nuclease protection analyses confirmed that the 7S K 5'flanking sequence was sufficient for accurate transcription initiation. These data demonstrate that 7S K DNA represents a novel class III gene, the promoter elements of which are located outside the coding sequence.

Structural and functional analysis of a human 7 S K RNA gene.

Using purified RNA from HeLa cells, we have synthesized and cloned a cDNA encoding an almost entire 7 S K RNA. This cDNA probe was used to isolate 7 S K RNA gene sequences from a human genomic library by high-stringency colony hybridization. In order to differentiate between functional genes and related sequences, we have used a rapid in-vitro transcription assay of purified phage DNA. With this additional screening criterion applied to selected clones, we have obtained one recombinant phage that contained a complete 7 S K RNA gene and, immediately adjacent to its 3' end, a truncated pseudogene. The nucleotide sequence of both genes including the flanking regions has been determined. The functional integrity of the isolated 7 S K RNA gene was verified by in-vitro transcription studies with cell-free extracts and by fingerprinting of the specific transcripts with ribonuclease T1. Under optimal ionic conditions, the transcription efficiency in vitro of this 7 S K RNA gene was found to be comparable to that of a human 7 S K RNA in vitro depends on 5'-flanking sequences. The region up to position -67 was determined to be essential for efficient transcription in vitro of 7 S K RNA. While apparently a variety of 7 S K related sequences is distributed within the human genome, hybridization of 5'-flanking sequences to genomic DNA revealed that possibly not more than one copy of this gene is present per haploid genome.