Recognition of a Palindromic DNA Sequence by ESF-1, a Factor Stimulating Transcription of the Adenovirus Type 12 E1A Gene

Abstract

We previously identified a factor, designated E1A-stimulating factor 1 (ESF-1), that stimulates transcription of the adenovirus type 12 E1A gene in vitro by binding to a region next to a TATA box. We report here on the partial characterization of the mode of ESF-1 action. Point mutations within the nucleotide sequence 5'-TCAGCTGA-3' abolished the binding of ESF-1. Stimulation of transcription of the adenovirus type 12 E1A gene in vitro was lost when a 7 base pair insertion was introduced between the ESF-1-binding site and a TATA box. These results suggest that ESF-1 stimulates adenovirus type 12 E1A gene transcription by interacting with a palindromic DNA sequence present in a region immediately upstream from a TATA box.