Nucleic Acids Research, Vol 27, Issue 2 690-694, Copyright © 1999 by Oxford University Press
MR Sturges, M Bartilson and LJ Peck
A protein responsible for enhanced transcription by RNA polymerase III was
identified in extracts from Xenopus oocytes. This protein, called EP3,
interacts with a specific DNA sequence adjacent to the 3'-end of a Xenopus
somatic 5S RNA gene and forms a distinct band shift complex with a unique
DNase I footprint. Enhanced transcription was observed from both 5S RNA and
tRNA reporter genes when EP3 binding sites were inserted at different
locations and orientations. Removal of the EP3 protein from an oocyte
extract abolished this enhanced transcription. In addition, EP3 was shown
to stimulate transcription by increasing the rate of transcription complex
assembly. EP3 directly discriminates between the somatic and oocyte 5S RNA
gene families and may play a significant role in their differential
expression during early Xenopus development.
ARTICLES
Enhancer of RNA polymerase III gene transcription
California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology, 147-75, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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