title: All human EF1α promoters are not equal: markedly affect gene expression in constructs from different sources.
abstract: The promoter is a major element in the expression cassette of gene therapy vectors. Optimal promoter selection can enhance target specificity and gene expression. Recently, we evaluated three different human elongation factor 1 alpha (EF1α) promoters. The three promoters were put into the same expression vector, pAC-luc, driving expression of the luciferase cDNA. The activity from one EF1α promoter (termed EF1α -3), obtained in a commercial vector, was markedly lower when tested in vitro (from 50 - 500 x) in four cell lines and in vivo in rat submandibular glands (~250 x). Sequence differences in the EF1α -3 promoter likely account for the activity differences seen. Investigators need to recognize that all promoters of the same name may not be equivalent in driving transgene expression.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Physiology and Therapeutics Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892-1190.
authors.forename: Changyu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Molecular Physiology and Therapeutics Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892-1190.
authors.forename: Bruce J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Baum
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D008156:Luciferases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020648:Peptide Elongation Factor 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D020648:Peptide Elongation Factor 1; D008156:Luciferases
keywords: EF1α; gene therapy.; promoter