GENOMIC CHARACTERIZATION OF A TESTIS-SPECIFIC TFIIS (TCEA2) GENE

There is a family of genes encoding TFIIS-related proteins in human ce lls. We have focused upon the genomic organization of one family membe r expressed primarily in the testis. This gene encodes a transcription elongation factor similar to but distinct from that encoded by a prev iously reported TFIIS gene. Also in contrast to the previously reporte d TFIIS gene, the testis gene contains introns. All exon-intron juncti on sequences match the consensus GT/AG rule. The gene consists of seve n exons and six introns with a total size of approximately 7 kb. The n ucleotide sequence of the 5' flanking region of the testis TFIIS gene contains several potential regulatory factor-binding sites, not all of which are present in the TFIIS gene, whose expression is nearly ubiqu itous. Elucidation of the full structure of the testis TFIIS gene shou ld be useful for determining its chromosomal localization and its pote ntial role in the regulation of gene expression in human tissues. (C) 1997 Academic Press.