真核生物双向启动子的结构与功能

Structure and Functions of Eukaryotic Bidirectional Promoters

双向启动子(bidirectional promoter)是指位于两个相邻且转录方向相反的基因之间的一段DNA序列.双向启动子的双向转录机制可能是两个RNA聚合酶同时聚集在无核小体区的边界,然后在两个方向上起始转录.双向启动子在真核生物基因组中广泛分布,大多数的双向启动子缺少TATA盒,而具有较高的GC含量和丰富的CpG岛.本文概述了双向启动子双向起始转录的最新研究,并对其在双向转录基因对共表达和稳定性表达调控中的作用及其应用做了详细阐述.

A bidirectional promoter is known as a short DNA segment between two adjacent genes transcribed in opposite directions.The possible mechanism of two-way transcription at the bidirectional promoter is that two RNA polymerases are simultaneously engaged at the boundaries of the nucleosome-free region and initiate transcription in both directions.Bidirectional promoters are distributed in the eukaryotic genomes,most of which are both G/C-rich as CpG islands and lack TATA boxes.In this review,we summarize current understanding on the bidirectional promoter of their architecture and the coexpression patterns or stability of their driven gene pairs.We also discuss the application of bidirectional promoters in gene stacking for transgenic organisms and gene farming.