DNA BINDING SITE OF A TRANSCRIPTIONAL ACTIVATOR USEFUL IN GENE EXPRESSION

摘要

We have discovered DNA binding sites which are specifically recognized by PrtT, a transcriptional activator for protease genes. The DNA binding site can be defined structurally by a consensus nucleotide sequence and functionally by PrtT's ability to regulate transcriptional activation through that sequence. Both PrtT and its cognate DNA binding site (i.e., the nucleotide sequence in each promoter that is recognized by PrtT) can be used in a gene expression system. Possession of only a PrtT transcriptional activator is insufficient, its cognate DNA binding site is necessary for recognition by PrtT (i.e., binding to the site and activating transcription under appropriate conditions). A functional site, such as one obtained from a wild-type fungal gene, will confer PrtT- dependent transcriptional activation on 3'-downstream sequences. A mutation of a wild- type promoter that results in a non-functional site will abolish PrtT-dependent transcriptional activation of 3'-downstream sequences. A mutation of a wild-type promoter that results in a more functional site will enhance PrtT-dependent transcriptional activation of 3'-downstream sequences.