The mast cell-specific expression of a protease gene, RMCP II, is regulated by an enhancer element that binds specifically to mast cell trans-acting factors |
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Authors: | J Sarid P N Benfey P Leder |
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Institution: | Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115. |
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Abstract: | The rat mast cell protease gene, RMCP II, is specifically expressed in the mucosal subclass of rat mast cells. We show here that the 5'-flanking region of this gene contains a mast cell-specific enhancer that directs preferential expression of a linked reporter gene (human growth hormone) transfected into rat basophilic leukemia cells. A DNA fragment containing the enhancer sequence is capable of binding specifically to mast cell nuclear trans-acting factors. The sequence of this enhancer element contains a region of homology to a consensus core sequence present in the enhancer region of the pancreatic protease genes. |
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