GATA-1 testis activation region is essential for Sertoli cell-specific expression of GATA-1 gene in transgenic mouse.
BACKGROUND
The erythroid transcription factor GATA-1 is also expressed in Sertoli cells of the testis. The testicular expression of GATA-1 is regulated in a developmental and spermatogenic stage-specific manner. To further clarify the regulatory mechanisms of testicular GATA-1 gene expression, we carried out transgenic reporter gene expression analyses.


RESULTS
We found that GATA-1 expression in Sertoli cells is markedly decreased concomitant with the emergence of elongated spermatids in the seminiferous tubules. Transgenic reporter mouse analyses revealed that a 15 kb GATA-1 genomic region is sufficient to recapitulate the gene expression profile in Sertoli cells. While the GATA-1 haematopoietic enhancer and the proximal first exon are included within the 15 kb genomic region, these regulatory elements are not essential for GATA-1 expression in Sertoli cells. Further analyses using deletion constructs revealed that a 1.5 kb region 5' to the GATA-1 haematopoietic enhancer is essential for gene expression in Sertoli cells and this region is referred to as the GATA-1 testis activation region.


CONCLUSIONS
These results thus demonstrated that the GATA-1 testis activation region is essential for Sertoli cell-specific expression of GATA-1 gene. The 15 kb genomic region is applicable and useful for the expression vector system specific for adult Sertoli cells in stage VII to IX.
Wakabayashi
Junko
J
Centre for Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan.
Yomogida
Kentaro
K
Nakajima
Osamu
O
Yoh
Keigyou
K
Takahashi
Satoru
S
Engel
James Douglas
JD
Ohneda
Kinuko
K
Yamamoto
Masayuki
M
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D050981:Erythroid-Specific DNA-Binding Factors; D005091:Exons; D050982:GATA1 Transcription Factor; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013087:Spermatids / Q000166:cytology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D017931:DNA Primers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050981:Erythroid-Specific DNA-Binding Factors; D050982:GATA1 Transcription Factor; C494689:Gata1 protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors