A brain-specific transcription activator

Neuron. 1989 Nov;3(5):563-72. doi: 10.1016/0896-6273(89)90266-3.

Abstract

We have identified a DNA binding protein, named BETA, that interacts with the same (B) transcriptional regulatory sequence as the known transcription factor NF-kappa B. BETA is found only in gray matter throughout the brain, and not in a variety of other rat tissues. Two binding sites for BETA are present adjacent to the promoter of the rat proenkephalin gene. Transfection of primary brain cultures that express BETA, with a reporter gene driven by the SV40 promoter linked to BETA DNA binding sites, results in transcriptional activation. We infer that BETA is a brain-specific transcription activator.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Electrophoresis
  • Enkephalins / genetics
  • NF-kappa B
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Precursors / genetics
  • Rats
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Enkephalins
  • NF-kappa B
  • Protein Precursors
  • Transcription Factors
  • proenkephalin