Volume 53 (2003) Issue: 2003 No#2-3

IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF RAT
DRE BINDING FACTORS INVOLVED IN ERYTHROID-SPECIFIC INDUCTION OF TRANSCRIPTION

Author(s): Pavlović Sonja, Kovačević Grujičić Nataša, Mitrović Tatjana

Keywords:rat,
-globin genes, transcription regulation, induction of erythropoiesis, REL cells

We have identified and characterized a DNA-binding activity with specificity for the
-globin direct repeat elemnt (
DRE) from rat
b minyglobin promoter, an evolutionarily conserved transcriptional regulatory element in mammalian adult
-globin promoters. We have also confirmed that the
DRE contributed to the transcriptional inducibility of rat
b miny- globin gene in rat erythroleukemia (REL) cells. By using gel mobility shift and South-Western blot competition studies we have shown that 60 kD erythroid-specific transcription factor and 35 kD and 20 kD ubiquitous factors from rat erythroleukemia cells specifically bind to the
-DRE from the rat
b miny- globin promoter. Additionally, a significant increase in the quantity of 60 kD transcription factor was observed upon erythroid differentiation of REL cells.