The SV40 early region TATA box is required for accurate in vitro initiation of transcription

Abstract

The SV40 early region TATA box functions in vitro to fix initiation of transcription within a narrow region identical to that in vivo. In the absence of the TATA box region initiation occurs at multiple specific sites, as in vivo. However, certain sequences far upstream, crucial for efficient in vivo expression, are not essential in vitro.