ANALYSIS AND MANIPULATION OF NEURONAL GENE-EXPRESSION USING THE T-ALPHA-1 ALPHA-TUBULIN PROMOTER

Analysis of the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying neuronal diffe rentiation in mammals has been hampered by the lack, of appropriate mo del systems. Here, we review the evidence that the T alpha 1 alpha-tub ulin gene represents such a model system. The endogenous T alpha 1 gen e is expressed at highly abundant levels during the growth of developi ng and mature neurons. In transgenic mice, 1.1 kb of 5' flanking seque nce from the T alpha 1 gene is sufficient to target gene expression to early developing neurons, and to regulate levels of expression as a f unction of neuronal growth. Analysis of this promoter has led to the i nitial elucidation of sequence elements essential for gene expression during neuronal development. Moreover, the T alpha 1 promoter provides an experimental mechanism for the manipulation and analysis of differ entiating neurons in transgenic mice.