Cloning of the Gene for Human Pemphigus Vulgaris Antigen (Desmoglein 3), a Desmosomal Cadherin CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PROMOTER REGION AND IDENTIFICATION OF A KERATINOCYTE-SPECIFIC cis-ELEMENT

摘要: Abstract Pemphigus vulgaris antigen is a cadherin-like desmosomal cell adhesion molecule expressed primarily in suprabasal keratinocytes within the epidermis. Previously characterized structural features have defined this as desmoglein, DSG3. In study, we cloned human DSG3 gene and examined transcriptional regulation of its expression. The total consisted 15 exons was estimated to span >23 kilobases. Comparison exon-intron organization with bovine DSG1 several classical cadherin genes revealed striking conservation structure. Up 2.8 kilobases upstream genomic sequences were sequenced found contain putative cis-regulatory elements. promoter region GC-rich TATA-less, similar previously mammalian promoters. subcloned into vector containing chloramphenicol acetyl transferase reporter gene. Transient transfections series deletion clones indicated that demonstrated keratinocyte-specific expression, compared dermal fibroblasts parallel, fine mapping identified 30-base pair segment at −200 −170 capable conferring epidermal specific results provide evidence for pemphigus gene, potentially critical development epidermis physiologic terminal differentiation keratinocytes.