Promoter Binding Factors Regulating Cyclin B Transcription in the Sea Urchin Embryo

Cyclin B is a key regulatory protein of the cell cycle, central to the control of the G₂/M transition. In the developing sea urchin embryo, the cyclin B gene is transcriptionally regulated in concert with changing patterns of cell division. In an effort to understand the mechanism controlling cyclin B expression during development, we have conducted an analysis of the Strongylocentrotus purpuratus cyclin B gene promoter. DNase I footprinting of the cyclin B upstream region revealed eight binding regions within 435 bp of the start of transcription; seven of these sites were within 215 bp. Found within these regions were consensus sequences for two CCAAT boxes, TATA, and E-boxes and sequences with some similarity to E2F and octamer binding motifs. Upstream sequences were functionally defined by generating cyclin B-CAT fusion genes, containing deletions and base specific mutations, and testing for relative levels of expression by gene transfer. Both CCAAT boxes were found to be essential for maximal levels of expression. A third binding site (PR7) with no recognizable consensus sequence was also found to act as a positive element. Our results suggest that protein binding to the E2F-like sequences may act to reduce expression. Protein binding was further characterized by gel mobility-shift and methylation interference. The CCAAT boxes were found to bind similar, if not identical, proteins. Sequence comparisons and methylation interference data indicate that the likely protein binding these CCAAT sequences is the characterized CCAAT-binding protein CP1. A probe containing site PR7 formed multiple gel shift complexes that, by methylation interference, appeared to be interrelated. One major complex was formed with an oligonucleotide containing the two E2F-like sequences. Protein binding to this probe was specific and required bases within the E2F-like sequences. Our results indicate that cyclin B is subject to positive and negative regulation, involving multiple factors that bind between –200 and –90 bp from the start of transcription.