Transcription of the rat angiotensin II type 2 receptor gene

The promoter region of the rat angiotensin II type 2 receptor gene was cloned and the nucleotide sequences were determined. A computer homology search for a 1.2 Kb promoter region showed that there are several consensus cis DNA elements such as C/EBP, NF-IL6, GRE and AP1 in this region. Primer extension experiments showed that there is one transcription initiation site 15 bp-downstream of the TATA box. Deletion mutants of the 1.2 Kb segment were prepared and fused to a luciferase reporter gene. These type 2 receptor promoter-luciferase constructs were introduced into PC12W cells, a pheochromocytoma cell line expressing the type 2 receptor, and luciferase activity was measured. It showed that (1) a DNA segment between -1208 bp and -749 bp suppresses the promoter activity of type 2 receptor gene, (2) a positive regulatory element is present in a DNA segment between -749 bp and -216 bp; and (3) a DNA segment between -44 bp +58 bp is important for the basal promoter activity of the type 2 receptor gene.