We describe a new assay system that allows a rapid, direct, and quantitative detection of promoter-dependent in vitro transcription by RNA polymerase II. The template used is a hybrid plasmid containing the adenovirus major late promoter linked to a synthetic 400-base-pair DNA fragment that lacks cytidine residues on the transcribed strand--i.e., generates a transcript with no guanosine residue...

BACKGROUND Interleukin (IL)-6 is produced by enterocytes in response to sepsis and after treatment with IL-1beta. The IL-6 promoter contains binding sites for multiple transcription factors, including nuclear factor-kappaB and C/EBP. The anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 downregulates nuclear factor-kappaB activity, but its effects on C/EBP activation and IL-6 production in the enterocyte are no...

Abstract The endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a critical process that occurs during the development of outflow tract (OFT). Malformations OFT can lead to occurrence conotruncal defect (CTD). SOX7 duplication has been reported in patients with congenital CTD, but its specific role remains poorly understood. To decipher this, histological analysis showed SRY-related HMG-box 7 (SOX...

The serine/threonine kinase pim-1 mRNA contains a long and G/C rich 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR). Previous work suggested that the pim-1 5'-UTR harbors an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) allowing for internal initiation of translation. However, several previously reported eukaryotic IRES elements actually contain cryptic promoter activity. To test whether an IRES or a cryptic promoter i...

Angiotensinogen is shown to be produced by the liver and the hepatoma cell line HepG2. As a first step for understanding the molecular relationship between the transcriptional regulation of the angiotensinogen gene and the pathogenesis of hypertension, we have analyzed the basal promoter of the angiotensinogen gene. Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assays with 5'-deleted constructs showe...

The gene encoding cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A), the rate-limiting enzyme in bile acid synthesis, is transcriptionally regulated by bile acids and hormones. Previously, we have identified two bile acid response elements (BARE) in the promoter of the CYP7A gene. The BARE II is located in nt -149/-118 region and contains three hormone response element (HRE)-like sequences that form two o...

Whereas the liver as well as the other organs are continually exposed to the change of osmotic status, it has never been investigated whether activities and gene expressions of drug-metabolizing enzymes, including cytochromes P450, are dependent on osmotic change in the liver. In the present study, we determined that CYP2E1 is induced under hypertonic environments at a transcriptional level in ...

BACKGROUND Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays a key role in human inflammatory disorders such as vascular inflammation. COX-2 promoter activity is induced by proinflammatory mediators, but the role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element (CRE) in promoter stimulation remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS Transient transfection of a 0.9-kb COX-2 promoter fragment bearing CRE mutation abr...

RstBA, a two-component regulatory system of Escherichia coli with an unidentified regulatory function, is under the control of a Mg(2+)-sensing PhoQP two-component system. In order to identify the network of transcription regulation downstream of RstBA, we isolated a set of RstA-binding sequences from the E. coli genome by using the genomic SELEX system. A gel mobility shift assay indicated the...

BACKGROUND Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common malignant tumor observed in the populations of southern China and Southeast Asia. However, little is known about the effects of purinergic signal on the behavior of NPC cells. This study analyzed the effects of ATP on the growth and migration of NPC cells, and further investigated the potential mechanisms during the effects. METHODS Cell v...