Analysis of the mouse protamine 1 promoter in transgenic mice.
Protamines are small arginine-rich proteins that package DNA in spermatozoa. The mouse protamine 1 (Prm-1) gene is transcribed exclusively in post-meiotic spermatids. To identify elements in the Prm-1 promoter required for spermatid-specific transcription, we generated transgenic mice by microinjection of transgenes containing Prm-1 5' flanking sequences with 5' truncations or internal deletions of conserved sequences linked to a marked Prm-1 gene. We also tested Prm-1 promoter regions with a heterologous human growth hormone reporter gene. We conclude that a 113-bp region can direct spermatid-specific transcription and we have defined sequences within this region that are essential for proper function. These results will facilitate the isolation and characterization of transcription factors essential for post-meiotic gene expression.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
B P
BP
Zambrowicz
C J
CJ
Harendza
J W
JW
Zimmermann
R L
RL
Brinster
R D
RD
Palmiter
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011479:Protamines / Q000235:genetics*; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D013539:Simian virus 40 / Q000235:genetics; D013087:Spermatids / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism
D011479:Protamines; D013006:Growth Hormone