MOUSE PROCATHEPSIN-E GENE - MOLECULAR-ORGANIZATION AND CHROMOSOMAL LOCALIZATION

A 15.6 kb genomic clone encompassing the mouse procathepsin E gene was isolated and mapped. Sequencing revealed that the gene consists of ni ne exons followed by a polyadenylation signal at the 3'-end. The 5'-fl anking region appears to be a TATA-less promoter but contains a nucleo tide sequence that matches perfectly with the consensus motif of an in itiator element [S.T. Smale, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1351 (1997) 73-88. ] to direct accurate initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase. Th is overlaps the site that was determined for the start of transcriptio n. The absence of features considered typical of TATA-box regulated or housekeeping types of genes is consistent with the low levels of proc athepsin E gene expression that are normally observed and might imply a unique sensitivity to or requirement for tissue-specific transcripti on factors that would account for the sporadic distribution of this as partic proteinase in cells and tissues. The single copy of the procath epsin E gene was located on chromosome 1, near to that of mouse proren in, a closely related aspartic proteinase involved in blood pressure r egulation. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.