The extended promoter of the gene encoding ribosomal protein S33 in yeast consists of multiple protein binding elements

At least 4 different, protein binding cis-acting elements are present in the upstream region of the S33-gene. The major protein binding site is situated between positions -148 and -163 relative to the ATG start codon. It binds a trans-acting factor designated SUF (S33 Upstream Factor). When yeast cells are growing on glucose, deletion of this site results in a decrease of transcription of 50%. Using ethanol as a carbon-source, deletion of the SUF-responsive site lowers the transcription as much as 80%. A second protein binding site is found between positions -85 and -105. Only extracts from glucose-grown cells contain a factor that is able to bind to this site in vitro. A third protein binding site was found using a protein extract from ethanol-grown cells. This site, which is located quite close to the transcriptional start site, is probably responsible for the 20% residual transcription when the SUF binding site is removed. Finally, a site far upstream was found, which binds a protein from both glucose-grown and ethanol-grown cells. This site may function as an upstream repression site which is only functional when a non-fermentable carbon-source is used. Taking these findings into account, we present a model for the carbon-source dependent transcription activation of the gene encoding S33.