Characterization of the regulatory region of the human testis-specific form of the pyruvate dehydrogenase alpha-subunit (PDHA-2) gene

The alpha-subunit of human pyruvate dehydrogenase (E-1) is encoded by two s eparate genes. The gene located on chromosome X (PDHA-1) is expressed in so matic tissues, whereas the second gene (PDHA-2), located on chromosome 4, i s expressed only in post-meiotic spermatogenic cells. A genomic fragment ha rboring the human gene encoding PDHA-2 has been isolated and approximately 800 nucleotides of the promoter region have been characterized. Functional studies of the promoter indicate the presence of both enhancer and represso r elements that are common to other genes that are only expressed in mature sperm. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.