Alternative promoters determine tissue-specific expression profiles of the human microsomal epoxide hydrolase gene (EPHX1).

ABSTRACT: Microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EPHX1) catalyzes hydration reactions that determine the cellular disposition of reactive epoxide derivatives. Whereas the previously defined EPHX1 exon 1 sequence (E1) is derived from a promoter proximal to exon 2 of the EPHX1 coding region, in this investigation, we identified an alternative EPHX1 exon 1 sequence, E1-b, originating from a gene promoter localized approximately 18.5 kb upstream of exon 2. Northern hybridizations demonstrated that the E1-b variant is widely expressed and that the E1-b promoter functions as the primary driver of EPHX1 expression in human tissues. In contrast, the E1 promoter directs expression only in the liver. To examine the basis for liver-specific usage of the E1 promoter, we identified several potential cis-regulatory elemen

SUBMITTER: Liang SH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4091896 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature