Transcription of the rat liver uricase-encoding gene is regulated via a cis-acting element responsive to cAMP

Glucagon was found to increase the mRNA level of the uricase-encoding gene (UOX), but not that of genes encoding other peroxisomal enzymes, such as catalase, acyl-CoA oxidase and enoyl-CoA hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase. The possible involvement of cAMP in the glucagon-induced transcription of rat UOX was studied by measuring the enhancer activity of the isolated 5'-untranslated region of the gene. An 84-bp sequence spanning positions -169 to -86 was found to be essential for cAMP-mediated expression of rat UOX, on deletional analysis of the upstream 1.4-kb portion by means of a transient transfection assay (CAT assay). The 30-mer oligodeoxyribonucleotide (positions from -169 to -140) was found to form a DNA-protein complex by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The core sequence for the DNA-protein complex formation, 5'-CAAAAATGTC-3', was found to be located in positions from -164 to -155. In addition, the binding assays suggested that the DNA-binding protein(s) was different from cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB). Thus, this report shows that a novel cis-acting element of rat UOX and the binding protein(s) possibly play an essential role in the glucagon-induced transcription via cAMP.