A Leuconostoc lactis protein with homology to ribosomal protein S1 shares common epitopes and common DNA binding properties with a mammalian DNA binding nuclear factor

A mouse testis cDNA expression library (Clontech) was screened with a synthetic oligonucleotide ligand containing CT-rich motifs derived from the rat skeletal muscle actin gene promoter. These motifs bind nuclear proteins, and seem to be involved in the regulation of the gene. Analysis of isolated clones, which expressed proteins that specifically bind the oligonucleotide, indicated that they were derived from a single gene. This gene was identified as a contaminant of bacterial origin (Leuconostoc lactis). The cloned gene from L. lactis encodes a protein with significant homology to bacterial ribosomal protein S1, which we designated LrpS1-L. Band shift analysis and competition experiments indicated that both the bacterial protein and a mouse nuclear protein specifically bind to the same CT-rich motif of the skeletal muscle actin promoter. Furthermore, antibodies against the recombinant bacterial protein interfered with the formation of complex between the CT-rich element and the mouse nuclear protein. These results indicate that the bacterial LrpS1-L protein and the mammalian protein bind the same CT-rich motif and share common antigenic epitopes.     

Regulation of CYP1A1 expression.

CYP1A1 is considered to be involved mainly in oxidative metabolism of exogenous chemicals and drugs. Synthesis of this hemoprotein is induced in livers, lungs, and other tissues of experimental animals by the administration of these chemicals. Regulatory mechanisms of the induction process of the protein have been investigated by the DNA transfer method using the isolated genomic DNA. At least two kinds of cis-acting regulatory DNA sequences are localized 5' upstream of the gene. One is distributed five times in a relatively wide range from -0.5 to -3.5 kb and functions as an inducible enhancer-designated xenobiotic responsive element or XRE. The other is localized just upstream of the TATA sequence and acts as a regulatory element for the constitutive expression. The two DNA elements are required for a high level of the inducible expression. Their cognate DNA binding factors are recognized in the nuclear extracts of Hepa-1 cells and rat liver cells which show the inducible expression of CYP1A1 in response to the inducer. This paper discusses the regulatory mechanisms of CYP1A1 gene expression by summarizing the present state of knowledge about properties of the DNA regulatory elements and their cognate DNA-binding factors.     

Expression of the CDR1 efflux pump in clinical Candida albicans isolates is controlled by a negative regulatory element

Resistance to azole antifungal drugs in clinical isolates of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans is often caused by constitutive overexpression of the CDR1 gene, which encodes a multidrug efflux pump of the ABC transporter superfamily. To understand the relevance of a recently identified negative regulatory element (NRE) in the CDR1 promoter for the control of CDR1 expression in the clinical scenario, we investigated the effect of mutation or deletion of the NRE on CDR1 expression in two matched pairs of azole-sensitive and resistant clinical isolates of C. albicans. Expression of GFP or lacZ reporter genes from the wild type CDR1 promoter was much higher in the azole-resistant C. albicans isolates than in the azole-susceptible isolates, reflecting the known differences in CDR1 expression in these strains. Deletion or mutation of the NRE resulted in enhanced reporter gene expression in azole-sensitive strains, but did not further increase the already high CDR1 promoter activity in the azole-resistant strains. In agreement with these findings, electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed a reduced binding to the NRE of nuclear extracts from the resistant C. albicans isolates as compared with extracts from the sensitive isolates. These results demonstrate that the NRE is involved in maintaining CDR1 expression at basal levels and that this repression is overcome in azole-resistant clinical C. albicans isolates, resulting in constitutive CDR1 overexpression and concomitant drug resistance.