Complete nucleotide sequence and tissue-specific expression of the rat phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase gene.

The rat phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) gene was isolated from a genomic library by cross-hybridization with a bovine PNMT cDNA probe. Complete nucleotide sequence analysis of a genomic clone showed that this gene contained three exons and spanned about 2.8 kb in length. There were the acute-phase response element, TATA, SP1, and GRE sequences. The physicochemical properties of rat adrenal PNMT were different from those of the brainstem PNMT. However, northern blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the rat PNMT gene may not express the multiple forms of mRNA. These results suggest that the rat PNMT gene might produce a single enzyme protein, whose activity may be differentially modulated by tissue-specific environment in the central and peripheral systems.