Multimerization of AAGTGA and GAAAGT generates sequences that mediate virus inducibility by mimicking an interferon promoter element.

Multimeric AAGTGA and GAAAGT, when inserted before a minimal promoter, mediate virus-inducible transcription. We have determined that the active sequence within these multimers is TGAAAGTGAAAGT, which is structurally similar to GAGAAGTGAAAGT, a positive response element delineated in the beta-interferon gene promoter. Both sequences behave like protoenhancers and are similar as regards induction by virus or interferon regulatory factor 1 when supported by a simian virus 40 enhancer.