Structure and transcriptional regulation of the human microsomal glutathione transferase 1 (MGST1) and prostaglandin E synthase (PGES) genes

Human genes coding for the related enzymes prostaglandin E synthase (PGES) and microsomal glutathione transferase 1 (MGST1) have the same exon/intron organization. The 3'-untranslated region is, however, considerably larger i n the PGES gene. The ubiquitous transcription factor Spl is required for th e basal expression of both genes. Considering the similarities in gene orga nization and amino acid sequence homology, these genes have probably evolve d via gene duplication. However, the promoters contain different regulatory elements, reflecting different physiological roles. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scie nce Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.