An enhancer element responsive to ras and fms signaling pathways is composed of two distinct nuclear factor binding sites.

In order to precisely define the sequences that constitute the ras-responsive enhancers element present in the murine retrotransposon NVL3, point mutations were introduced into the previously defined minimal transcriptional enhancer DNA. Analyses of the effects of these point mutations in transient transfection experiments, in gel retention assays, and by methylation interference footprinting indicated that the enhancer element was composed of two binding sites for distinct nuclear factors. Both binding sites were required for activation of the enhancer by either ras or v-fms oncogenes, and the distinct nuclear factors were found in extracts from cells that contained either oncogene. UV cross-linking analysis revealed that the AP1-related binding site, TGACTCT, was recognized by a nuclear factor of apparent molecular size of 50 kilodaltons, that is probably c-jun. The other binding site, CAGGATAT, is very similar to sites recognized by the ets-family of transcription factors, and was recognized by the 120-kilodalton ras-responsive factor-1. Activation of the NVL3 element was reconstituted in an in vitro transcription assay. The ets-related binding site was necessary for this in vitro reconstitution of activity. Thus, the NVL3 enhancer is related to the previously described oncogene-responsive enhancer element present in polyoma virus and is also related to elements identified in several cellular genes known to be ras-responsive, including the transforming growth factor-beta 1 gene.