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An intronic promoter controls the expression of truncated human γ‐glutamyltransferase mRNAs 1
Author(s) -
Leh Hervé,
Chikhi Naı̈ma,
Ichino Kazuhiko,
Guellaën Georges,
Wellman Maria,
Siest Gérard,
Visvikis Athanase
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(98)00950-8
Subject(s) - exon , microbiology and biotechnology , intron , biology , gene , coding region , promoter , genomic dna , transcription (linguistics) , protein subunit , messenger rna , gene expression , genetics , linguistics , philosophy
We have identified and characterized a genomic DNA fragment containing the coding sequences corresponding to the human γ‐glutamyltransferase type 1 mRNA. The coding part of the gene spans over 16 kb and comprises 12 exons and 11 introns exhibiting a similar organization as for the mouse and rat GGT genes. The exons 1–7 encode the heavy subunit whereas exons 8–12 which encode the carboxy‐terminal part of the heavy subunit (exon 8) and the light subunit are clustered in a 1.6‐kb Bgl II fragment. Exons 7 and 8 are separated by a 3.9‐kb intron containing in its 3′ part the sequences corresponding to the 5′‐UTRs of the truncated GGT mRNAs described for human lung. Sequence analysis upstream this transcribed region exhibited putative promoter sequences and after transient transfection significant promoter activities were measured in V79 lung fibroblasts and KYN‐2 hepatoma cells but not in A2780 ovarian cells. This specificity disappeared when only 550 bp upstream the transcription start site were used as promoter. These results argue for a promoter of truncated GGT mRNAs in intron 7, specifically regulated in human tissues.