E1A-induced enhancer activity of the poly(dG-dT).poly(dA-dC) element (GT element) and interactions with a GT-specific nuclear factor

Abstract

The alternating sequence poly(dG-dT).poly(dA-dC) is a highly repeated sequence in the eucaryotic genome. We have examined the effect of trans-acting early viral proteins on the ability of the GT element to stimulate transcription of the adenovirus major late promoter (MLP). We find that the GT element alone does not activate expression from the MLP in either the presence or absence of another enhancer element. However, in the presence of the E1A gene products of either adenovirus type 5 or 2, the GT element activated expression from the MLP. The stimulatory activity of the GT element in the presence of E1A had the properties of an enhancer element, and the trans-activating effect on the GT element was additive in conjunction with the E1A-responsive BK virus enhancer. We also have demonstrated that a specific nuclear factor(s) binds to the GT element. However, the E1A protein(s) do not affect the initial factor interaction(s) with the GT element. Overall, our data demonstrate that trans modulation of promoter activity can be mediated through the GT element.