Molecular characterization of the giant freshwater prawn () gene promoter.

Constitutive promoters are important tools for gene function studies and transgenesis. The () gene promoter has been isolated from many species but remains to be cloned from the giant freshwater prawn (). In this study, we cloned and characterized the gene promoter. Two alternative promoters were identified for the gene, which direct the generation of two transcripts with different 5' untranslated regions. Three CpG islands were predicted in the upstream sequence, which are intimately related to transcription initiation and promoter activity. In addition to the CCAAT-box and the CArG-box, molecular dissection of the flanking sequence revealed the existence of one negative and two positive elements in the upstream region and the first intron. Finally, the promoter demonstrated comparative activity to the carp () promoter. Our investigations provide a valuable genetic tool for gene function studies and shed light on the regulation of the gene.