[Analysis of an inhancer element of mouse Nodal gene in its 5' flanking sequence]

Nodal, a member of TGF-beta superfamily, plays a very important role in the mesoderm formation during mouse early development. Mice without the Nodal gene will die due to the lack of mesoderm. The flanking sequences of Nodal were dissected. By using lucifirase as reporter gene, F9 cells were transfected with a series of reporter constructs containing the subclones of the flanking sequences and their nested deletions. The effect of these subclones and deletions-2 kb up stream the Nodal gene and its cell type specificity was determined.