Gene characterization and promoter analysis of the human 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP)

The human gene for the recently identified 5-lipoxy-genase-activating protein (FLAP) has been cloned. The gene was isolated from two different genomic libraries and is contained within four overlapping bacteriophage clones. The gene spans greater than 31 kilobases and consists of five small exons and four large introns. Southern blot analysis of human genomic DNA suggests the presence of a single FLAP gene per haploid genome. A restriction site polymorphism was identified in intron II of the gene. This restriction fragment length polymorphism appears to be present in the normal population at a fairly high frequency. The transcription initiation site was located, at an adenine residue, 74 base pairs upstream of the ATG initiation codon. Examination of the sequence of the gene 5' to the mRNA start site revealed the presence of a possible TATA box (TGTAAT) 22 base pairs upstream and potential AP-2 and glucocorticoid receptor binding sites. Functional analysis of the FLAP gene promoter was assayed by transient transfection of mouse P388D1 cells (macrophage) and human HepG2 cells (hepatoma) with 5'-flanking sequences of the FLAP gene fused upstream of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. Expression in the mouse macrophage cell line of the various FLAP gene promoter constructs revealed both tissue specificity and enhancer-like activities whereas in the hepatoma cell line only a minimum level of activity was obtained.