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. 1995 May 23;92(11):4783–4787. doi: 10.1073/pnas.92.11.4783

A 5'-upstream region of a bovine keratin 6 gene confers tissue-specific expression and hyperproliferation-related induction in transgenic mice.

A Ramírez 1, M Vidal 1, A Bravo 1, F Larcher 1, J L Jorcano 1
PMCID: PMC41791  PMID: 7539134

Abstract

Keratins, the constituents of epithelial intermediate filaments, are precisely regulated in a tissue- and development-specific manner, although little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying this regulation. The expression pattern of keratin 6 is particularly complex, since besides being constitutively expressed in hair follicles and in suprabasal cells of a variety of internal stratified epithelia, it is induced in epidermis in both natural and artificially caused hyperproliferative situations. Therefore, the regulatory sequences controlling keratin 6 gene activity are particularly suitable for target gene expression in a tissue-specific manner. More interestingly, they can be skin-induced in transgenic animals or in gene therapy protocols, particularly those addressing epidermal hyperproliferative disorders. To delimit the regions containing these regulatory elements, different parts of the bovine keratin 6 gene linked to a beta-galactosidase reporter gene have been assayed in transgenic mice. A 9-kbp fragment from the 5' upstream region was able to provide both suprabasal tissue-specific and inducible reporter expression.

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Selected References

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