title: Analysis of the promoter region of the human VEGF-related factor gene.
abstract: We have characterised the promoters of the human and murine VRF (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) related factor) gene. A series of deletions were made of a 553-bp region 5' of the VRF initiation codon and were used in a luciferase reporter gene assay to determine the minimal promoter of the VRF gene. The region between base pairs -443 and -195 was sufficient to mediate transcription in lymphocytes and the region between -550 and -443 enhanced this promoter activity. Primer extension studies identified two regions of transcription initiation, both of which are preceded by Sp1, AP-2 and Egr-1 transcription factor binding sites. The VRF promoter is similar to VEGF in that it is associated with a CpG island, contains sites for Sp1 and AP-2, and lacks a TATA box. However, it has marked differences in that the promoter contains Egr-1 sites and lacks both hypoxia-inducible factor-1 and AP-1 sites. These data may indicate that expression of these two growth factors is regulated by different physiological stimuli.
authors.affiliation: Queensland Cancer Fund Research Unit, Joint Experimental Oncology Program, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Australia. gintS@qimr.edu.au
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Silins
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grimmond
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Egerton
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hayward
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D006801:Humans; D008156:Luciferases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042561:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D017931:DNA Primers; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042561:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D008156:Luciferases