Regulatory sequences in the 5 ' flanking region of goat beta-casein gene

Abstract

A goat beta -casein gene was cloned and sequenced. Our previous study had determined the nucleotide sequences of the 5 ' flanking region and the structural gene including all 9 exons. In the present study, investigations were done on the regulatory sequences in the 5 ' flanking region of the goat beta -casein gene by aligning and comparing it with the same gene from other mammals. The results showed that -200/-1 bp of the 5 ' flanking sequences contained six conserved clusters, in which the sites of gene expression regulated by the transcription factor and hormone might exist. It showed that fourteen glucocorticoid receptor elements, two cAMP responsive elements, two SV40 virus enhancer core sequences, two OCT-I binding elements and one CTF/NF-1 binding element were dispersed in the 5 ' flanking region of goat beta -casein gene. Our findings are perhaps valuable for the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that control the expression of the goat beta -casein gene.