Differential regulation by multiple promoters of the gene encoding the neuron-restrictive silencer factor.

ABSTRACT: NRSF/REST is a protein that silences transcription of a number of genes that contain a DNA element called the neuron-restrictive silencer element (NRSE). During embryogenesis, REST is expressed ubiquitously in nonneural cells, but is down-regulated during differentiation of neural progenitors into neurons. REST is also up-regulated in adult neurons by activity, suggesting a possible role for the protein in synaptic plasticity. To understand mechanisms that control expression of REST, we identified and characterized the promoter region of the mouse REST gene (mREST). A 4.5-kb DNA segment containing three exons (A, B, and C) that correspond to alternatively spliced 5' untranslated regions (5'UTRs) was isolated and its DNA sequence was determined. Reverse transcription-PCR analyses of fibrobl

SUBMITTER: Koenigsberger C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC15794 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature