The neuron restrictive silencer factor can act as an activator for dynaminI gene promoter activity in neuronal cells

The neuron restrictive silencer element (NRSE) has been identified in sever al neuronal genes and confers neuron specificity by silencing transcription in nonneuronal cells. We have previously reported that Sp1 and an NF-kappa B-like element (NE-1) are required for the promoter activity of mouse dynam in I gene. In the present study, we found that the upstream regulatory regi on of the dynamin I promoter has an NRSE-like sequence and showed that neur on restrictive silencer factor (NRSF) binds to this element in neuronal cel ls as well as in nonneuronal cells. We also showed that NRSF activates the promoter activity of dynamin I gene in neuronal cells. From the results in this study, we suggest that NRSE might be involved in the neuron restrictio n of dynamin I expression, and NRSF could act as an activator for promoter activity of dynamin I gene in neuronal cells, (C) 2001 Academic Press.