AN RNA OLIGONUCLEOTIDE CORRESPONDING TO THE POLYPYRIMIDINE REGION OF THE RAT ALPHA-1(I) PROCOLLAGEN PROMOTER FORMS A STABLE TRIPLEX AND INHIBITS TRANSCRIPTION

In this report we demonstrate formation of a tripler structure by an a ntiparallel RNA oligonucleotide corresponding to the 21 bp polypurine- pyrimidine stretch from -141 to -162 of the rat alpha 1(I) procollagen promoter with a K-d of 0.1-0.2 mu M The formation of triplexes by the tripler forming oligoribonucleotide (ORN) was also observed under phy siological conditions. In vitro transcription run-off experiments show ed that tripler formation results in inhibited transcription from the rat alpha 1(I) procollagen gene. Our results demonstrate a novel appro ach for down-regulation of procollagen gene transcription in vivo. (C) 1998 Academic Press.