Premium
Analyses of the Promoter Region of the Cystatin S Gene
Author(s) -
Shaw Phyllis A.,
Li Jinhua,
Luo Jian
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a966-a
Subject(s) - biology , transgene , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , salivary gland , submandibular gland , gene expression , promoter , cystatin , regulatory sequence , genetically modified mouse , regulation of gene expression , messenger rna , genetics , cystatin c , endocrinology , biochemistry , renal function
The cystatin S gene is unique in that its expression is: cell type‐ and salivary gland‐specific, regulated by hormones and the autonomic nervous system, and expressed at a specific stage of postnatal development, but not in adult rats. Phylogenetic “footprinting” of the cystatin S gene suggests that DNA‐binding sequences for specific functions are clustered in the 5′‐flanking region. The 1.9 kb promoter has 3 types of putative transcription factor binding “modules”, and three regions found in the 5′‐flanking sequence of all known salivary gland specific genes. To determine which of the cis‐elements are functional and responsible for tissue specific regulation of the cystatin S gene, we generated two transgenic mouse models. One, the 1.9 kb/GFP expressing transgene, contains the hormone module and the salivary gland‐specific elements, and other cis‐acting elements. We have examined the developmental expression of the 1.9 kb/GFP transgene in submandibular glands using real time RT‐PCR analysis of total RNA. Our results indicate that mRNA expression in the developing submandibular glands is first observed at 15 days, and the levels increase with SMG development, peaking at 30 days. Importantly, these data indicate that the 1.9 kb/GFP transgene mirrors the temporal expression pattern of the endogenous cystatin S gene. Analyses of 19 day‐old mice from the 1.9 kb/GFP transgenic line shows tissue‐specific and cell type‐specific expression, suggesting that the 1.9 kb is capable of dictating acinar cell‐specific, submandibular gland‐specific expression as well as appropriate developmental expression.