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Identification and characterization of a neuroretina-specific enhancer element in the quail Pax-6 (Pax-QNR) gene.

ABSTRACT: Using nuclear run-on assays, we showed that the tissue-specific expression of quail Pax-6 (Pax-QNR) P0-initiated mRNAs is due in part to regulation of the gene at the transcriptional level. Regulatory sequences governing neuroretina-specific expression of the P0-initiated mRNAs were investigated. By using reporter-based expression assays, we characterized a region within the Pax-QNR gene, located 7.5 kbp downstream from the P0 promoter, that functions as an enhancer in neuroretina cells but not in nonexpressing P0-initiated mRNA cells (quail embryo cells and quail retinal pigment epithelial cells). This enhancer element functioned in a position- and orientation-independent manner both on the Pax-QNR P0 promoter and the heterologous thymidine kinase promoter. Moreover, this enhancer element exhibited a developmental stage-specific activity during embryonic neuroretina development: in contrast to activity at day E7, the enhancer activity was very weak at day E5. This paralleled the level of expression of P0-initiated mRNAs observed at the same stages. Using footprinting, gel retardation, and Southwestern (DNA-protein) analysis, we demonstrated the existence of four neuroretina-specific nuclear protein-binding sites, involving multiple unknown factors. In addition we showed that the quail enhancer element is structurally and functionally conserved in mice. All of these results strongly suggest that this enhancer element may contribute to the neuroretina-specific transcriptional regulation of the Pax-6 gene in vivo.

SUBMITTER: Plaza S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC231973 | biostudies-other | 1995 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Identification and characterization of a neuroretina-specific enhancer element in the quail Pax-6 (Pax-QNR) gene.

Plaza S S Dozier C C Langlois M C MC Saule S S

Molecular and cellular biology 19950201 2

Using nuclear run-on assays, we showed that the tissue-specific expression of quail Pax-6 (Pax-QNR) P0-initiated mRNAs is due in part to regulation of the gene at the transcriptional level. Regulatory sequences governing neuroretina-specific expression of the P0-initiated mRNAs were investigated. By using reporter-based expression assays, we characterized a region within the Pax-QNR gene, located 7.5 kbp downstream from the P0 promoter, that functions as an enhancer in neuroretina cells but not ...[more]

PMID: 7529875

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Project description:A deletion analysis of the human insulin gene extending to 2 kb upstream of the transcription start site provided evidence of regulatory sequences located upstream of the insulin-linked polymorphic region (ILPR). Within this ILPR-distal region is a sequence (Ink, for insulin kilobase upstream) which contains three potential nuclear hormone-receptor half-sites, closely matching the consensus sequence AGGTCA. These sequences are arranged as a palindromic element with zero spacing over-lapping a direct repeat with 2 bp spacing. The Ink sequence was used in electrophoretic mobility-shift assays within nuclear extracts from COS-7 cells overexpressing the vitamin D, thyroid hormone or retinoic acid receptors, or from an insulin-expressing hamster cell line, HIT-T15. These studies suggest that the insulin-expressing cell line contains thyroid hormone and retinoic acid receptors at least, and that these receptors are able to recognize the Ink sequence. Three copies of the Ink sequence were placed upstream of the thymidine kinase promoter and firefly luciferase reporter gene. In COS-7 cells expressing the appropriate nuclear hormone receptor, this construct was responsive to both thyroid hormone (18-fold) and all-trans-retinoic acid (31-fold). In HIT-T15 cells the same construct responded to all-trans-retinoic acid, but not to thyroid hormone. Within the context of a 2 kb insulin gene fragment, the Ink sequence was shown to be activated by retinoic acid and by the retinoic acid receptor, but acted as a negative element in the presence of both retinoic acid and the retinoic acid receptor. Mutagenesis studies demonstrated that the palindromic sequence was important for the retinoic acid response, and for binding of complexes containing retinoic acid receptor. In human islets of Langerhans, retinoic acid was shown to stimulate insulin mRNA levels. These results demonstrate that a functional nuclear hormone-receptor-response element is located upstream of the human ILPR. As retinoic acid and thyroid hormone are frequently involved in developmental regulatory processes, it is possible that this element may be important in the process of islet cell differentiation.

Dataset Information

Identification and characterization of a neuroretina-specific enhancer element in the quail Pax-6 (Pax-QNR) gene.

Publications

Identification and characterization of a neuroretina-specific enhancer element in the quail Pax-6 (Pax-QNR) gene.

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