Effect of regulatory peptides on gene transcription.

Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine2003PMID: 14666197

Plain Language Summary

Researchers identified specific DNA sequences in the promoter regions of telomerase, retinal, and RNA polymerase genes that could serve as binding sites for Epitalon. This suggests the peptide may directly initiate gene transcription for essential proteins, providing a molecular explanation for its observed effects on telomerase activity and retinal function.

Abstract

Experimental studies of geroprotective activity of synthetic oligopeptides and conformational analysis of the tetrapeptide Epithalon allowed us to hypothesize that regulatory oligopeptides directly initiate transcription of genes for vitally important proteins. Sequences of nucleotide pairs that can serve as binding sites for tetrapeptide Epithalon were identified in the promoter regions of retinal genes F379, telomerase, and RNA polymerase II.

Authors

Khavinson, V Kh; Shataeva, L K; Chernova, A A