Human transcription factor IIA

Abstract

The small (γ) subunit of human Transcription Factor IIA and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for regulating gene-specific and global transcription. Antagonists against such polypeptide and their use to inhibit transcription are also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a polynucleotide encoding a small subunit polypeptide having the deduced amino acid sequence of FIG. 1A or a fragment, analog or derivative of said polypeptide;    (b) a polynucleotide encoding a small subunit polypeptide having the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA contained in ATCC Deposit No. 75809 or a fragment, analog or derivative of said polypeptide.    
     
     
         2 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1  wherein the polynucleotide is DNA.  
     
     
         3 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1  wherein the polynucleotide is RNA.  
     
     
         4 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1  wherein the polynucleotide is genomic DNA.  
     
     
         5 . The polynucleotide of  claim 2  wherein said polynucleotide encodes a small subunit having the deduced amino acid sequence of FIG. 1A.  
     
     
         6 . The polynucleotide of  claim 2  wherein said polynucleotide encodes a small subunit polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of ATCC Deposit No. 75809.  
     
     
         7 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1  having the coding sequence of a small subunit as shown in FIG. 1A.  
     
     
         8 . The polynucleotide of  claim 2  having the coding sequence of a small subunit deposited as ATCC Deposit No. 75809.  
     
     
         9 . A vector containing the DNA of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         10 . A host cell genetically engineered with the vector of  claim 9 .  
     
     
         11 . A process for producing a polypeptide comprising: expressing from the host cell of  claim 10  the polypeptide encoded by said DNA.  
     
     
         12 . A process for producing cells capable of expressing a polypeptide comprising genetically engineering cells with the vector of  claim 9 .  
     
     
         13 . An isolated DNA hybridizable to the DNA of  claim 2  and encoding a polypeptide having a small subunit activity.  
     
     
         14 . A polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: (i) a small subunit polypeptide having the deduced amino acid sequence of FIG. 1A and fragments, analogs and derivatives thereof and (ii) a small subunit polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of ATCC Deposit No. 75809 and fragments, analogs and derivatives of said polypeptide.  
     
     
         15 . The polypeptide of  claim 14  wherein the polypeptide is a small subunit having the deduced amino acid sequence of FIG. 1A.  
     
     
         16 . An antibody against the polypeptide of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         17 . An agonist for the polypeptide of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         18 . An antagonist against the polypeptide of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         19 . A method for the treatment of a patient having need of an enhanced level of transcription comprising: administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the polypeptide of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         20 . A method for the treatment of a patient having need of an enhanced level of transcription comprising: administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the agonist of  claim 17 .  
     
     
         21 . A method for the treatment of a patient having need to inhibit transcription comprising: administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the antagonist of  claim 18 .  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said therapeutically effective amount of the polypeptide is administered by providing to the patient DNA encoding said polypeptide and expressing said polypeptide in vivo.  
     
     
         23 . A method for identifying antagonists and agonists specific to the small subunit polypeptide comprising: 
 preparing a cell having a TFIIA-inducible promoter which drives the expression of a marker gene;    contacting the cell with TFIIA and a compound to be screened; and    determining the level of expression of the marker gene.