The identification of novel regulatory elements in the promoters of heat shock response genes
Year: 2010
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Mammalian cells have evolved self-protective mechanisms that are activated in response to cellular stress, including non-lethal heat shock (heat shock response-HSR).These adaptive and cytoprotective mechanisms are mediated by heat shock factors that bind to cognate sequences in the promoters of heat shock responsive genes.The main objective of this study was to investigate promoter sequences of putative HSR genes for the presence of unique regulatory elements and modules that might be involved in the regulation of HSR.In order to achieve this objective, an in silico promoter analysis strategy was devised, which focused on the identification of promoter sequences and regulatory elements, and modelling of promoter modules by using Genomatix software tools such as MatInspector and ModelInspector.Results showed that two modules (EGRF_SP1F_01 and SP1F_CEBP_01) were conserved in the promoter sequences of three well-known Hsp-genes (Hsp90, Hsp105β and αβ-crystallin).Screening the 60 target gene promoters for the presence of the two modules revealed that 12 genes (20 %) contained both modules.These included Moesin, Proline-4 hydroxylase, Poly(A) binding protein and Formin-binding protein.None of these genes had been previously associated with heat shock response.
Author: Sifelani Ncube
Language: English
Topic: Heat shock proteins research
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: University of the Western Cape
OpenAlex ID: W2281128202