Alternative promoters determine tissue-specific expression profiles of the human microsomal epoxide hydrolase gene (EPHX1).
Microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EPHX1) catalyzes hydration reactions that determine the cellular disposition of reactive epoxide derivatives. Whereas the previously defined EPHX1 exon 1 sequence (E1) is derived from a promoter proximal to exon 2 of the EPHX1 coding region, in this investigation, we identified an alternative EPHX1 exon 1 sequence, E1-b, originating from a gene promoter localized approximately 18.5 kb upstream of exon 2. Northern hybridizations demonstrated that the E1-b variant is widely expressed and that the E1-b promoter functions as the primary driver of EPHX1 expression in human tissues. In contrast, the E1 promoter directs expression only in the liver. To examine the basis for liver-specific usage of the E1 promoter, we identified several potential cis-regulatory elements that included GATA (-110/-105) and hepatocyte nuclear factor 3 (HNF3) (-96/-88) motifs. GATA-4 was the principal GATA family member interacting with its respective motif, whereas both HNF3alpha and HNF3beta were capable of interacting with the HNF3 element. GATA-4 and HNF3alpha/HNF3beta DNA binding complexes were enriched in hepatic cells. Site-directed mutagenesis and transactivation analyses of the E1 promoter revealed that GATA-4 is probably a principal factor that regulates liver-specific expression of the E1 variant, with HNF3alpha and HNF3beta acting to negatively regulate GATA-4 function in hepatic cells.
Center of Molecular Toxicology, 115 Henning, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
Shun-Hsin
SH
Liang
Christopher
C
Hassett
Curtis J
CJ
Omiecinski
D017398:Alternative Splicing; D001483:Base Sequence; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004851:Epoxide Hydrolases / Q000235:genetics*; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010957:Plasmids; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004851:Epoxide Hydrolases