c-Ha-ras Gene Bidirectional Promoter Expressed In Vitro: Location and Regulation

Abstract

Increased transcriptional activity of the c-Ha-ras gene product is correlated with induction of several important human tumor types. For this reason, we have investigated the nature of the c-Ha-ras promoter and the factors that regulate its expression. Using S1 and primer extension analysis of c-Ha-ras RNA from EJ cells, we have identified 18 initiation sites within an upstream exon (exon −1) whose 3′ end (the donor splice site [D]) is located 1,105 base pairs (bp) upstream of the ATG codon. The furthest-upstream initiation site is located −191 bp relative to D, and the furthest downstream is located −16 bp relative to D. Transient expression assays, in which a series of mutants spanning this region were ligated to a promoterless chloramphenicol acetyltransferase vector, functionally confirmed the position and extent of this promoter. Mutational analysis further located a 47-bp element located between −243 and −196 relative to D that up-regulated transcriptional activity of the promoter region by 20- to 40-fold. This region contained both a GC box known to bind SP1 and a CCAAT box. Insertion of a simian virus 40 enhancer 5′ to the promoter up-regulated transcription from each initiation site by approximately 10- to 20-fold. We have also localized, both by chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay and by S1 analysis, a strong promoter operating in the direction opposite that of the gene and originating immediately 5′ to the 47-bp regulatory region. The reverse promoter was found to have nine initiation sites between −248 and −278 relative to D.