title: Molecular cloning, polymorphism, and functional activity of the bovine and water buffaloMx2gene promoter region.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  BovineMx2gene sequences were already reported, but further information about the gene properties is not yet available. The objective of the current study was to elucidate the structural properties of the bovineMx2gene mainly the promoter region and its possible functional role. If available, such information would help in assessing the functional properties of the gene, which was reported to confer antiviral action against recombinant VSV.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Examinations on the bovine genomic BAC clone-confirmed to contain theMx2gene-revealed 883-bp sequences. A computer scan unequivocally identified a 788-bp promoter region containing a typical TATA box, three ISREs and other promoter-specific motifs. Comparative analysis of nine bovine genomic DNA samples showed 19 nucleotide substitutions suggesting the existence of five different genotypes in the promoter region. The water buffaloMx2promoter region was determined by using primers based on the bovineMx2promoter region disclosing 893-bp, with 56 substitutions, two insertions, 9 and 1 nt at two different sites. A functional analysis of the putative ISRE indicated that ISRE played a synergetic role in the activation of bovineMx2gene transcription.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bovine and water buffaloMx2promoter region was identified disclosing, the conserved ISRE, located in the proximal end of the promoter region like other members of the antiviral family, suggesting functional activity under interferon stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khartoum University, P.O. Box 32, Shambat, Khartoum Sudan.
authors.forename: H A E
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Babiker
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakatsu
authors.affiliation: Shirakawa Institute of Animal Genetics, Livestock Technology Association, Shirakawa, Fukushima 961-8061 Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takasuga
authors.affiliation: Shirakawa Institute of Animal Genetics, Livestock Technology Association, Shirakawa, Fukushima 961-8061 Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.affiliation: Shirakawa Institute of Animal Genetics, Livestock Technology Association, Shirakawa, Fukushima 961-8061 Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sugimoto
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dairy Science, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Hokkaido 069-8501 Japan.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watanabe