A mouse renin promoter containing the conserved decanucleotide element binds the same B-cell factors as an authentic immunoglobulin heavy chain promoter.

A mouse renin-1 gene promoter fragment, normally inactive in B-cells, becomes a potent promoter in these cells after insertion of the highly conserved decanucleotide (dc/cd sequence) of immunoglobulin heavy and light chain promoters [(1987) EMBO J. 6, 1685-1690]. We observe retarded complexes of the same electrophoretic mobility when the cd-containing renin promoter fragment or an authentic immunoglobulin heavy chain promoter fragment is incubated with a nuclear extract from myeloma cells, suggesting that the renin promoter is activated due to its acquired ability to bind a B-cell-specific positive factor. No retarded complexes are observed with the original renin promoter fragment thus questioning the presence of a repressor as an explanation for its lack of activity in B-cells.