# ANALYSIS OF RETROVIRAL TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATION

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 1992 · $158,131

## Abstract

Experiments described in this proposal will explore the role of
protein-DNA interactions in promoter function of the long
terminal repeats of two retroviruses, Rous sarcoma virus and
mouse mammary tumor virus.

A correlation will be made between protein binding to sequence
elements of the RSV LTR, as detected by the gel mobility shift
assay; and the role of those same sequence elements in promoter
function.  Sequence-specific probes and high-resolution mapping
techniques will be used to map protein binding sites, both in vitro
and in vivo on integrated proviruses.  Special emphasis will be
given the use of uv light to "photofootprint" protein-dependent
changes in DNA structure that accompany promoter activation.
The patterns of these changes will be carefully examined in
search for clues for mechanisms of enhancer action.

These same procedures will also be applied to the problem of
glucocorticoid receptor activation of the MMTV promoter.  MMTV
LTR fragments will be placed on bovine papilloma virus vectors
and then subjected to photofootprint analysis.  At the same time
large amounts of receptors protein will be made by expressing it
in insect cells from a baculovirus vector.  The protein will be
added to nuclei in an attempt to generate in vitro, the same
changes in promoter structure that are seen in vivo.

Finally, the hormone response elements of an MMTV virus
construction will be replaced with the enhancer sequences of RSV.
Patterns of expression of this hybrid will be examined in the
mouse to determine the role of the hormone element in mammary
gland specific expression.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3177580
- **Project number:** 5R01CA038994-08
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** L6NFUM28LQM5
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN E MAJORS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $158,131
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1984-12-01 → 1994-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3177580

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3177580, ANALYSIS OF RETROVIRAL TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATION (5R01CA038994-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3177580. Licensed CC0.

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