Formation of composite nucleoprotein complexes near the transcription start of the Shrunken gene from maize.

We describe an analysis of protein-DNA interactions detectable with nuclear extracts prepared from maize kernels and DNA fragments from the immediate upstream region of the Shrunken gene from maize. The data demonstrate that sequences from position -235 to the transcription start are recognized by sequence specific nuclear proteins. In footprinting and competition experiments at least six different protein-DNA interactions can be distinguished within this upstream region. Two sequence related inverted repeat structures, 67 and 64 bp in length, cross compete for protein recognition.