Rapid Communication: A cis-Acting Element, Tα-1, in the Upstream Region of Rod α-Transducin Gene that Binds a Developmentally Regulated Retina-Specific Nuclear Factor |
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Authors: | Iqbal Ahmad Xiu Yu Colin J. Barnstable |
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Affiliation: | Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A. |
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Abstract: | Abstract: The G protein transducin (T) is an integral component of the signal transduction pathway in photoreceptors. We have identified a cis -acting element, Ta-1, in the upstream region of the mouse rod a-T (Trα) gene that may be important for tissue-specific expression. Tα-1 binds a retina-specific nuclear factor of apparent molecular mass of 90 kDa. Binding to the Tα-1 site is developmentally regulated and peaks between postnatal days 6 and 9. This corresponds to the time of rod photoreceptor maturation and the rise in Trα gene expression. The sequence of Tα-1 shows homology with RET-1, a cis -acting element in the proximal promoter of opsin gene that binds a distinct retina-specific factor. Tα-1 and RET-1 sequences may have been derived from a prototype Tα-1/RET-1 sequence, evolved to confer photoreceptor specificity on retina-specific genes. |
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Keywords: | G protein Photoreceptor. |
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