Cell specific differences in DNase I hypersensitivity between the two promoters of the rat glucokinase gene

Glucokinase (GK) gene transcription occurs in the liver and the beta cell of the endocrine pancreas where it is subject to different modes of regulation. This is accomplished largely through the use of two linked, cell-specific promoters separated by at least 12 kbp. We have used DNase I hypersensitivity to explore the chromatin structure surrounding the two promoters in cells that express either the liver or beta cell form of the GK gene, as well as cells that do not express GK. In RIN38 cells, a beta-cell-derived cell line, hypersensitive sites are detected over both the proximal and distal promoters. In liver, hypersensitive sites are present in the proximal promoter but not the distal promoter. Interestingly, in H4IIEC3 cells, a hepatoma cell line that has lost the ability to express GK, hypersensitive sites are also found in the proximal promoter but not the distal promoter.