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Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) induce cell cycle arrest, differentiation, or apoptosis in numerous cancer cell types both in vivo and in vitro. These dramatic effects are the result of a specific reprogramming of gene expression. However, the mechanism by which these agents activate the transcription of some genes, such as p21WAF1, but repress others, such as cyclin D1, is currently unknown. We have been studying the human SRC gene as a model for HDI-mediated transcriptional repression. We found previously that both the tissue-specific and housekeeping SRC promoters were equally repressed by HDIs. Here we show that, despite an overt dissimilarity, both SRC promoters do share similar core promoter elements and transcription is TAF1 dependent. Detailed analysis of the SRC promoters suggested that both core and proximal promoter elements were responsible for HDI-mediated repression. This was confirmed in a series of promoter-swapping experiments with the HDI-inducible, TAF1-independent p21WAF1 promoter. Remarkably, all the SRC-p21WAF1 chimeric promoter constructs were not only repressed by HDIs but also dependent on TAF1. Together these experiments suggest that the overall promoter architecture, rather than discrete response elements, is responsible for HDI-mediated repression, and they implicate core promoter elements in particular as potential mediators of this response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the transcriptional properties of the temperature-sensitive hamster cell line ts 13 nuclear extracts in vitro. Temperature-sensitivity of activation by site-specific regulators Sp1 and Gal4VP16; Rescue of the transcriptional defect by purified human transcription factor IID; Expression of wild-type TAF...250 subunit in ts 13 cells.

Abstract: Precise spatial and temporal expression of the recently identified G-protein coupled receptor GPR54 is critical for proper reproductive function and metastasis suppression. However, regulatory factors that control GPR54 expression remain unknown. Thus, the identification of these cis-acting DNA elements can provide insight into the role of GPR54 in reproduction and cancer. Using luciferase reporter, electrophoretic mobility shift, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we demonstrate that three SP1 sites and a partial estrogen response element modulate mouse GPR54 (mGPR54) promoter activity. Supporting experiments show transcription factor SP1 binds directly to the mGPR54 promoter region and activates gene expression. In conclusion, these novel findings now identify factors that regulate activity of the mGPR54 promoter, and these factors are highly conserved across multiple mammalian species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]