FURTHER CHARACTERIZATION OF THE MURINE COLLAGENASE (TYPE IVB) GENE PROMOTER AND ANALYSIS OF MESSENGER-RNA EXPRESSION IN MURINE TISSUES

The collagenase B type IV (Co14B) gene is highly expressed in the oste oclast, the primary bone-resorbing cell. However, factors that regulat e expression of the Co14B gene are not well characterized. A murine P1 genomic clone containing a 94kb sequence insert which contains the Co 14B gene was isolated. A 4 kb EcoR1 DNA fragment containing the 5' fla nking sequence of the gene was further subcloned and restriction mappe d. Putative transcription factors such as SRY, Lyf-1, and GATA1 and 2, binding motifs were identified by sequence analysis in this promoter region. Enhancer and suppressor regions were mapped by transient expre ssion of Co14B gene promoter deletion mutant-luciferase reporter gene constructs in HepG2 cells. Co14B mRNA expression in different murine t issues was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and demonstrated high levels of expression in bone, clavaria, spleen and thymus. This promoter provides a valuable tool for targeting gene expression to the osteoclast. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.