Analysis of the human RAD51L1 promoter region and its activation by UV light

The human REC2/RAD51B gene (HGMW-approved symbol RAD51L1) encodes a 350-ami no-acid protein with regional homologies to members of the RAD52 epistasis group. It is induced by DNA-damaging agents, and the overexpression of this gene product causes G1/S cell cycle arrest. In this report, the promoter r egion, containing the W-responsive element, is revealed. Deletion analyses of a 1699-base fragment at the 5' end of the human RFC2/RAD51B cDNA identif ied a Ile-base sequence that appears to be responsible for radiation induct ion. This fragment contains many DNA sequences that have been identified in the promoter regions of other radiation-inducible genes in yeast and human s. Within this region are "consensus" binding sites for both the AP2 and th e p53 proteins that may act to regulate the expression of the human REC2/RA D51B gene. Five putative transcripts have been identified from regions 5' o f the promoter element that splice near the ATG translation start site. Non e of the transcripts contain the W-inducible element nor the consensus tran scription factor binding sites. (C) 1998 Academio Press.