Biomaterial Database

The basic helix-loop-helix, leucine zipper transcription factor, USF (upstream stimulatory factor), is a key regulator of SF-1 (steroidogenic factor-1) gene expression in pituitary gonadotrope and steroidogenic cells. 1998

A N Harris, and P L Mellon

Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0674, USA.

Tissue-specific expression of the mammalian FTZ-F1 gene is essential for adrenal and gonadal development and sexual differentiation. The FTZ-F1 gene encodes an orphan nuclear receptor, termed SF-1 (steroidogenic factor-1) or Ad4BP, which is a primary transcriptional regulator of several hormone and steroidogenic enzyme genes that are critical for normal physiological function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in reproduction. The objective of the current study is to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying transcriptional regulation of SF-1 gene expression in the pituitary. We have studied a series of deletion and point mutations in the SF-1 promoter region for transcriptional activity in alphaT3-1 and L/betaT2 (pituitary gonadotrope), CV-1, JEG-3, and Y1 (adrenocortical) cell lines. Our results indicate that maximal expression of the SF-1 promoter in all cell types requires an E box element at -82/-77. This E box sequence (CACGTG) is identical to the binding element for USF (upstream stimulatory factor), a member of the helix-loop-helix family of transcription factors. Studies of the SF-1 gene E box element using gel mobility shift and antibody supershift assays indicate that USF may be a key transcriptional regulator of SF-1 gene expression.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007438	Introns	Sequences of DNA in the genes that are located between the EXONS. They are transcribed along with the exons but are removed from the primary gene transcript by RNA SPLICING to leave mature RNA. Some introns code for separate genes.	Intervening Sequences,Sequences, Intervening,Intervening Sequence,Intron,Sequence, Intervening
D009687	Nuclear Proteins	Proteins found in the nucleus of a cell. Do not confuse with NUCLEOPROTEINS which are proteins conjugated with nucleic acids, that are not necessarily present in the nucleus.	Nucleolar Protein,Nucleolar Proteins,Nuclear Protein,Protein, Nuclear,Protein, Nucleolar,Proteins, Nuclear,Proteins, Nucleolar
D010903	Pituitary Gland, Anterior	The anterior glandular lobe of the pituitary gland, also known as the adenohypophysis. It secretes the ADENOHYPOPHYSEAL HORMONES that regulate vital functions such as GROWTH; METABOLISM; and REPRODUCTION.	Adenohypophysis,Anterior Lobe of Pituitary,Anterior Pituitary Gland,Lobus Anterior,Pars Distalis of Pituitary,Adenohypophyses,Anterior Pituitary Glands,Anterior, Lobus,Anteriors, Lobus,Lobus Anteriors,Pituitary Anterior Lobe,Pituitary Glands, Anterior,Pituitary Pars Distalis
D011401	Promoter Regions, Genetic	DNA sequences which are recognized (directly or indirectly) and bound by a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase during the initiation of transcription. Highly conserved sequences within the promoter include the Pribnow box in bacteria and the TATA BOX in eukaryotes.	rRNA Promoter,Early Promoters, Genetic,Late Promoters, Genetic,Middle Promoters, Genetic,Promoter Regions,Promoter, Genetic,Promotor Regions,Promotor, Genetic,Pseudopromoter, Genetic,Early Promoter, Genetic,Genetic Late Promoter,Genetic Middle Promoters,Genetic Promoter,Genetic Promoter Region,Genetic Promoter Regions,Genetic Promoters,Genetic Promotor,Genetic Promotors,Genetic Pseudopromoter,Genetic Pseudopromoters,Late Promoter, Genetic,Middle Promoter, Genetic,Promoter Region,Promoter Region, Genetic,Promoter, Genetic Early,Promoter, rRNA,Promoters, Genetic,Promoters, Genetic Middle,Promoters, rRNA,Promotor Region,Promotors, Genetic,Pseudopromoters, Genetic,Region, Genetic Promoter,Region, Promoter,Region, Promotor,Regions, Genetic Promoter,Regions, Promoter,Regions, Promotor,rRNA Promoters
D012045	Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid	Nucleic acid sequences involved in regulating the expression of genes.	Nucleic Acid Regulatory Sequences,Regulatory Regions, Nucleic Acid (Genetics),Region, Regulatory,Regions, Regulatory,Regulator Regions, Nucleic Acid,Regulatory Region,Regulatory Regions
D002460	Cell Line	Established cell cultures that have the potential to propagate indefinitely.	Cell Lines,Line, Cell,Lines, Cell
D004268	DNA-Binding Proteins	Proteins which bind to DNA. The family includes proteins which bind to both double- and single-stranded DNA and also includes specific DNA binding proteins in serum which can be used as markers for malignant diseases.	DNA Helix Destabilizing Proteins,DNA-Binding Protein,Single-Stranded DNA Binding Proteins,DNA Binding Protein,DNA Single-Stranded Binding Protein,SS DNA BP,Single-Stranded DNA-Binding Protein,Binding Protein, DNA,DNA Binding Proteins,DNA Single Stranded Binding Protein,DNA-Binding Protein, Single-Stranded,Protein, DNA-Binding,Single Stranded DNA Binding Protein,Single Stranded DNA Binding Proteins
D005786	Gene Expression Regulation	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation.	Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia