Analysis of DNase I hypersensitive site of the ELP gene.

The chromatin structure of the ELP gene was analyzed by DNase I hypersensitivity. A strong DNase I hypersensitive site (Y1DH) was identified at the exon 1 region of the ELP gene in steroidogenic Y1 cells. A strong DNase 1 hypersensitive site (ECDH2) downstream of the exon 8 of the ELP gene and a weak DNase 1 hypersensitive site (ECDH1) upstream of the exon 2 of the ELP gene was identified in undifferentiated EC cells. These differences of the DNase I hypersensitive sites may be related to the differential expression of ELP isoforms in Y1 cells and EC cells. In addition, the gel shift assay and DMS protection assay revealed that ELP binds to the ECDH2 region.