[DNaseI sensitivity and DNaseI hypersensitive sites of AFP gene correlated with the gene expression]

Using rat AFP cDNA clone pRAF87 and subcloned 5' end fragment of AFP gene as probes, we have analysed the DNaseI sensitivity and DNaseI hypersensitive sites of AFP gene in chromatin of rat fetal liver (active transcription), adult liver (potentially active transcription) and adult kidney (inactive transcription). The results indicated that fetal liver AFP genes are much more sensitive than their counter parts. There are three DNaseI hypersensitive sites in the fetal AFP gene, namely, upstream -3kb region, 1.37kb region just around transcription start sites and the last located in downstream 4.1 kb EcoR I fragment. The 1.37 kb DNasI hypersensitive site also exists in adult liver. The relationship between AFP gene DNaseI sensitivity, DNaseI hypersensitive sites and AFP gene expression have been discussed.