Human protein-tyrosine kinase gene HCK: expression and structural analysis of the promoter region

The vertebrate gene HCK encodes a protein-tyrosine kinase that is closely related to the product of the proto-oncogene SRC. HCK is expressed principally in monocytic and granulocytic hematopoietic cells, in coordination with differentiation of these cells. Here we report an initial description of the mechanisms by which expression of human HCK is controlled. Induction of the gene during differentiation was manifested by an increase in the steady-state levels of HCK RNA and protein product. The accumulation of RNA apparently resulted from modulation of transcription itself, since no change occurred in the stability of the transcripts. Transcription initiated at multiple sites, clustered c. 145 nucleotides upstream of the first intron of HCK. The sequence of 660 bp upstream of the major initiation site was determined, revealing candidate binding sites for Sp1 and AP-2 transcription factors, but neither TATA nor CAAT elements. Comparison to the same region of the mouse hck locus showed five small regions of similarity, only two of which were topographically analogous between the two sequences. It appears that expression of HCK is regulated primarily through control of transcription, but the mechanisms by which tissue-specific expression and increase of transcription during differentiation are achieved remain to be explored.