Sequence analysis of the 5′ flanking region of the human estrogen receptor gene

Abstract

We present the sequence of 2770 nucleotides of 5′ flanking sequence of the human estrogen receptor (hER) gene. The positions of potential binding sites for a number of frans-acting factors including Spl, OTF-1, INR, TATA and CAAT box factors as well as several half palindromic hormone responsive elements (HREs) have been mapped by comparison with the consensus binding sequences. A long alternating purine/pyrimidine (APP) tract which has the potential for structural diversity as indicated by site-specific cleavage with SI nuclease is another feature of this region. The organization of this promoter region is compared to that of other cloned members of this family. The potential roles that these sequences may play in the transcriptional regulation of this gene are discussed.

Key Words:

• human estrogen receptor gene
• 5′ flanking sequence
• complex promoter organization
• secondary structure