J. Song et al., Structural organization and expression of the mouse gene for Pur-1, a highly conserved homolog of the human MAZ gene, EUR J BIOCH, 259(3), 1999, pp. 676-683
We have characterized the genomic structure and expression of the mouse gen
e for Pur-1. The cloned Pur-1 gene spans a 5-kb region encompassing the pro
moter, five exons, four introns and the 3'-untranslated region. All exon-in
tron junction sequences conform to the GT/AG rule. The promoter region has
typical features of a housekeeping gene: a high G + C content (77.5%); a hi
gh frequency of CpG dinucleotides, in particular within the region 0.5 kb u
pstream of the site of initiation of translation; and the absence of canoni
cal TATA and CAAT boxes. S1 nuclease protection assay demonstrated the pres
ence of multiple sites for initiation of transcription around a site 108 nu
cleotides upstream of the ATG codon. Comparison of Pur-1 with the human gen
e for MAZ (Myc-associated zinc finger protein) revealed a striking homology
of both their nucleotide and deduced protein sequences, an identical genom
ic organization and high similarity in promoter architecture and mRNA expre
ssion pattern. Sequence analysis of the 5'-flanking region of Pur-1 reveale
d numerous potential binding sites for transcription factors Sp1, AP-2 and
Pur-1/MAZ itself. An element required for basal Pur-1 expression was mapped
from nucleotide - 258 to + 43. This region also mediated stimulation of ba
sal transcription by ectopically expressed MAZ protein. We conclude that th
e Pur-1 gene is the murine homolog of human MAZ and, like it, belongs to th
e family of housekeeping genes.