[The promoter sequence of human nitric-oxide-synthase gene: functional study].

OBJECTIVE

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) catalyzes the NADPH and O(2) to nitric oxide(NO). This study aimed at the regulation mechanism of the transcription of ecNOS gene.

METHODS

The promoter regions of ecNOS gene were analyzed by gel mobility shift assay and DNase I footprinting assay using nuclear extract from endothelial cells.

RESULTS

Three regions were protected by protein/transcription-factors. One of these regions, (-106 to -88) was demonstrated to be SP1 binding consensus sequence which was extremely rich in GC content. The other two regions, (-79 to -64) and (-58 to -44), covered the CTCF binding regions, but showed various binding modes.

CONCLUSION

The protected regions are bound either with aggregated SP1/SP1- like proteins or with new transcription factor which have not been reported yet.