The 5' region of the human thromboxane A(2) receptor gene

Thromboxane is an important modulator of hemostasis and smooth muscle tonus and signals via G-protein-coupled thromboxane receptor. Previously, we characterized the TP receptor gene and suggested the presence of three promoter regions within the gene. The aim of the present study was to examine the regulation of transcriptional gene expression. By primer extension experiments the major transcription initiation site was shown to be a doublet at -160/165 bp upstream of the ATG codon in human megakaryoblastic MEG-01 cells, endothelial ECV 304 cells and in human myometrium smooth muscle cells. In the erythroleukemic HEL 1 cells transcription initiation site was identified at -10 bp. Transcriptional activity of the three 5'flanking regions of TP receptor gene representing the putative promoter regions was evaluated by transfection of MEG-01 cells with chimeric constructs containing luciferase gene-encoding sequence. Promoter region I displayed highest transcriptional activity and RT-PCR analysis confirmed the transcription of TP receptor mRNA driven by promoter I. Although, weak transcriptional activity was also observed regarding promoter region II, we were unable to amplify cDNA fragments representing promoter II-driven mRNA synthesis. Considering promoter region III, transcriptional activity was barely detectable. Various deletions of the 3.9 kb promoter I region revealed a size-dependent transcriptional activity. Further, for full activity a 'core' promoter corresponding to the region from -160/165 to -588 bp appeared to be necessary for full transcriptional activity of promoter 1.