Analysis of the spatial, temporal and tissue-specific transcription of gamma-sarcoglycan gene using a transgenic mouse

To evaluate the promoter function of the 5 ' -flanking sequence of mouse ga mma -sarcoglycan (gamma -SG) gene in vivo, H e generated transgenic mice ha rboring this sequence fused with enhanced green fluorescent protein reporte r gene, The reporter expression was restricted in striated muscles and part icularly strong in all myofibers in skeletal muscles. Using these mice, a e examine the spatial and temporal transcriptional patterns of the gamma -SG gene during mouse skeletal muscle development. The expression of basic hel ix loop helix transcriptional factors preceded that of the reporter. Differ ences between the expression of reporter and endogenous gamma -SG genes in non-muscle tissues suggested the existence of additional promoter elements in the endogenous gene, and the analysis of endogenous mRNAs demonstrated t he existence of a novel upstream exon and promoter active in non-muscle tis sues. (C) 2001 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by E lsevier Science B.V, All rights reserved.