Structural and functional analysis of the rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss) metallothionein-A gene

Eur J Biochem. 1995 May 15;230(1):344-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1995.tb20569.x.

Abstract

In the present study, the distal part of the 5'-flanking region of the rainbow trout metallothionein-A promoter was sequenced in order to identify cis-acting regulatory elements. Analysis of this sequence combined with that previously reported for the 5'-flanking region directly proximal to the start of transcription revealed several putative regulatory sequences. In total, six metal-responsive elements (MREs) were identified; these sequences were organised into two clusters, one containing two copies of MRE and located close to the predicted TATA box sequence, and a second consisting of four MREs and lying 500-700 bp upstream from the start of transcription. In addition, the 5'-flanking region contained sequences sharing high similarity with the activator protein 1 consensus sequence as well as one nuclear-factor-interleukin-6-responsive element. Functional analysis of the promoter was performed by introducing deletion mutants of the 5'-flanking region into the vector pGL-2, directly upstream from the luciferase reporter gene. Both MRE clusters were needed for maximal metal inducibility in both rainbow trout hepatoma (RTH-149) and human hepatoblastoma (Hep G2) cell lines. Furthermore, the distal region was found to be functional in promoting gene transcription following exposure of RTH-149 cells to hydrogen peroxide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Glucocorticoids / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Metallothionein / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oncorhynchus mykiss
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Zinc / pharmacology

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Metallothionein
  • Zinc

Associated data

  • GENBANK/X80181