Illegitimate (or ectopic) transcription proceeds through the usual promoters

Abstract

Illegitimate transcription corresponds to the low level presence of specific transcripts in non-specific cells. This phenomenon allows to analyse any tissue-specific disease transcript in any easily accessible cell. We demonstrate here that the start sites of transcription are the same in specific and non-specific cells, which indicates that illegitimate transcription is due to a low level activity of the normal promoter. In addition, it is possible to increase about 10 fold the abundance of illegitimate trancripts through the use of cycloheximide. This treatment should, therefore, facilitate detection and qualitative analysis of illegitimate transcripts. © 1991.