COMPUTER-ANALYSIS OF DISTRIBUTION OF PUTATIVE CIS-REGULATORY AND TRANSREGULATORY ELEMENTS IN MILK PROTEIN GENE PROMOTERS

Multiple alignment of 28 milk protein gene promoters belonging to seve n protein superfamilies is described. In these gene promoters three gr oups of common motifs were found: group I-specific for all milk protei n gene promoters; group II-specific only for one gene superfamily; and group III-motifs shared by several gene superfamilies. Motifs of grou p I and III do not have any preferential location in the promoters, wh ile group II motifs are located in the proximal part, from -36 to -224 . Milk protein gene promoters were analysed for presence of putative b inding sites for nine transcription factors important for the expressi on of this group of genes. The transcription factor binding sites for C/EBP, CTF/NF1: MAF and MGF were found in all promoters investigated. The set of putative transcription factor binding sites or response ele ments for GRE, IRE, PMF, STR and YY1 is unique for every gene superfam ily. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.