Cloning and Characterization of the 5′-Flanking Region of the Human Transcription Factor Sp1 Gene

• Published in: The Journal of biological chemistry Vol. 276; no. 25; pp. 22126 - 22132
• Main Authors: Nicolás, Marta, Noé, Vèronique, Jensen, Kirk B., Ciudad, Carlos J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 22.06.2001
• Subjects: Base Sequence; Cell Line, Transformed; Cloning, Molecular; DNA; Humans; Molecular Sequence Data; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Sp1 Transcription Factor - chemistry; Sp1 Transcription Factor - genetics
• ISSN: 0021-9258; 1083-351X
• DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M010740200

The 5′-flanking region of the humanSp1 gene was cloned and characterized. Sequence analysis of this region showed the absence of both CAAT and TATA boxes and an initiator element. The proximal promoter of the Sp1 gene is a GC-rich region that contains multiple GC boxes and Ap2 binding sites. The major transcription start site is located 63 base pairs upstream of the translation start site. Transfection experiments demonstrate that all the elements necessary to achieve significant basal transcription activity are located between positions −443 and −20 relative to the translational start. Sp1 and Sp3 proteins bind to the downstream GC box located in the proximal promoter ofSp1. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the Sp1 protein activates Sp1 transcription activity; thus the Sp1 gene is autoregulated.