Transgenic mice demonstrate a testis-specific promoter for angiotensin-converting enzyme.
There are two isozymes of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), one produced by somatic tissues and a smaller protein synthesized by developing spermatozoa (testis ACE). To investigate the molecular control of testis ACE, we generated mice transgenic for a construct containing a putative testis-specific ACE promoter linked to the Escherichia coli reporter gene encoding beta-galactosidase. The transgenic mice express beta-galactosidase protein and RNA only within the testis. Histochemical analysis of the transgenic mice shows co-localization of beta-galactosidase protein and endogenous ACE within elongating spermatozoa. These studies demonstrate that transcription of testis ACE is controlled by a strong intragenic testis-specific promoter that is contained within a 698-base pair fragment immediately upstream from the transcription start site of testis ACE. Characterization of the testis ACE promoter may provide insights into the molecular mechanisms controlling cell stage-specific gene expression in the male germ line.
Langford
K G
KG
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322.
Shai
S Y
SY
Howard
T E
TE
Kovac
M J
MJ
Overbeek
P A
PA
Bernstein
K E
KE
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D007527:Isoenzymes; D001616:beta-Galactosidase; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A