Genomic structure and promoter analysis of putative mouse acetyl-CoA transporter gene

The acetyl-CoA transporter gene (Acatn) encodes a hydrophobic, multitransme mbrane protein that is involved in the process of O-acetylation of sialic a cid residues on gangliosides. O-Acetylated gangliosides have been found to play important roles in tissue development and organization during early em bryonic stages. We have cloned the gene for mouse acetyl-CoA transporter. T he gene spans approximately 20 kb and is composed of seven exons and six in trons, A single transcription initiation site, 371 bp upstream of the ATG s tart codon, was identified. The promoter region was found to lack a TATA bo x, However, several potential transcription factor binding motifs such as A P1, AP2, C/EBP alpha C/EBP beta, HSF, GATA2 and MZF1 were identified in the promoter region. (C) 2000 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.