[The promoter sequence of human nitric-oxide-synthase gene: functional study].
OBJECTIVE
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) catalyzes the NADPH and O(2) to nitric oxide(NO). This study aimed at the regulation mechanism of the transcription of ecNOS gene.


METHODS
The promoter regions of ecNOS gene were analyzed by gel mobility shift assay and DNase I footprinting assay using nuclear extract from endothelial cells.


RESULTS
Three regions were protected by protein/transcription-factors. One of these regions, (-106 to -88) was demonstrated to be SP1 binding consensus sequence which was extremely rich in GC content. The other two regions, (-79 to -64) and (-58 to -44), covered the CTCF binding regions, but showed various binding modes.


CONCLUSIONS
The protected regions are bound either with aggregated SP1/SP1- like proteins or with new transcription factor which have not been reported yet.
Zhang
X
X
The Medical School of Jamusi University, Jamusi, Heilongjiang, 154003 P.R. China. XianFengZ@hotmail.com
Chen
J
J
Kaoru
M
M
Wang
X
X
Liu
T
T
Lu
X
X
D018983:DNA Footprinting; D006801:Humans; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000235:genetics*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D016329:Sp1 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D016329:Sp1 Transcription Factor; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III