REGULATION OF UROCORTIN TISSUE SPECIFIC EXPRESSION

促肾上腺皮质激素释放因子是促肾上腺皮质激素释放的关键调节因子 下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺皮质(HPA)轴，也是 协调自主神经、免疫学和 对压力的行为反应。最近，一种新的CRF样肽， 鉴定了尿皮质素(Ucn)。其受体结合亲和力和 明显的组织分布表明它具有独特的发育 以及生理作用。我们建议研究组织特异性 UCN的表达。将为UCN分离基因组序列 基因，并连接到一个报告基因。表达UCN的细胞系和 将以组织作为模型系统来分析UCN 指导组织特异性表达的转录元件 记者基因。转录之间的相互作用 然后将研究元素及其反式作用因素以 揭示哪些因素通过这些因素起作用。新奇因素 经鉴定的基因将被克隆并进行进一步分析。组织的作用 特定的元素也将使用转基因技术进行确认。

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a key regulator of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal cortical (HPA) axis, is also a critical factor in coordinating autonomic, immunological and behavioral responses to stress. Recently, a novel CRF-like peptide, urocortin (Ucn) was identified. Its receptor binding affinity and distinct tissue distribution suggests tat it has unique developmental and physiological roles. We propose to study the tissue-specific expression of Ucn. The genomic sequence will be isolated for the Ucn gene and linked to a reporter gene. Ucn-expressing cell lines and tissues will be used as a model system to analyze the Ucn transcription elements that direct the tissue-specific expression of the reporter gene. The interaction between the transcription elements and their trans-acting factors will then be studied to reveal what factors act through these elements. Novel factors identified will be cloned and further analyzed. The role of tissue specific elements will also be confirmed using transgenic techniques.