IAPP/amylin gene transcriptional control region: evidence for negative regulation

Aberrant expression of the islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) gene might be involved in the pathogenesis of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Here, we report that IAPP promoter-luciferase constructs revealed tissue-specific activity. This activity was not mediated by cAMP. Sequential 5' deletions of the IAPP promoter caused a progressive derepression of the IAPP gene promoter in IAPP-producing cells. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence of the IAPP promoter with that of the insulin promoter (both active in pancreatic beta-cells) reveals two sequence elements of putative importance: an insulin enhancer-like sequence and an element which corresponds to a protected domain in rat insulin I gene promoter footprint experiments.