A cis-acting element is necessary and sufficient for translational regulation of human ferritin expression in response to iron.
Ferritin plays a key role in determining the intracellular fate of iron and is highly regulated by the iron status of the cell. We have identified a cis-acting element in the transcribed but nontranslated 5' leader sequence of human ferritin heavy-chain mRNA. In transiently transfected murine fibroblasts, the presence of a 157-nucleotide region of the 5' leader sequence was found to be necessary for iron-dependent regulation of ferritin biosynthesis. Further, this 5' leader region is sufficient to transfer iron-mediated translational control to the expression of a heterologous gene product, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase.
D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005293:Ferritins / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005809:Genes, Regulator; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010957:Plasmids; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron