Genomic organization and promoter sequence of a gene encoding a rat liver-specific type-I transport protein

We report the isolation and characterization of a rat gene (designated TI-LTP) encoding a liver-specific cell-surface glycoprotein that belongs to the type-I transporter family. This gene, including 5' and 3' flanking domains, was cloned from a rat lambda DASH genomic library and its nucleotide sequence was determined. TI-LTP is a single-copy gene which spans over 6 kb, and contains nine introns ranging in size from 90 bp to over 1.8 kb. Two transcription start points were located using a nuclease S-1 protection assay. The TI-LTP promoter (pTI-LTP) lacks a canonical TATA-box element, but does contain five TAGA elements. Several putative transcription-factor-binding sites were identified in the pTI-LTP, including activator protein 2 (AP-2) sites and a peroxisome proliferator response element (PPRE).