Abstract
A series of BAL 31 deletions were constructed in the upstream region of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae CYC7 gene to determine sequences required for transcriptional initiation. These deletions identified the TATA box as an alternating A-T sequence at -160 and the initiation sequences as well as the spatial relationship between them. The TATA box was necessary for wild-type levels of expression of the CYC7 gene. Decreasing the distance between the TATA sequence and the initiation site did not alter gene expression, but the site of transcription was shifted 3'-ward. In most cases, transcription initiated at a number of sites, the 5'-most of which was the first suitable site greater than 45 base pairs 3' of the TATA sequence, suggesting a spatial relationship between these sequences. Consensus sequences previously proposed for initiation sites were evaluated with respect to the start sites identified in this study as well as the start sites of other yeast genes.