Functional analysis of the human platelet-derived growth factor A-chain promoter region.

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) A-chain gene is a developmentally regulated gene that is expressed in high levels in a limited number of normal and transformed cell lines and in cells stimulated by cytokines, including PDGF itself. We have now analyzed potential regulatory elements in 3.6 kilobase pairs (kb) of the 5'-flanking sequences of the human PDGF A-chain gene using reporter gene constructs and transient transfection analyses. The region between base pairs (bp) -618 and +392 (relative to the transcription initiation site) is sufficient for optimal promoter activity. A highly G + C region containing three contiguous Sp1 binding sites between bp -150 and -33 contributes over 80% of promotor activity. DNase I footprinting analyses indicates that Sp1 binds to and protects over 57 bp of this G + C region. A functional serum response element is located within bp -477 and -468 and positively regulates induction of PDGF A by PDGF. A negative regulatory (silencer) element is located from -1.9 to -0.9 kb. The results suggest that the major constitutive expression of the PDGF A-chain gene requires a highly G + C-rich region containing three Sp1 binding sites and that induction of the PDGF A-chain gene by PDGF is mediated by a SRE located at bp -477 to -468.