Sequence, initial functional analysis and protein-DNA binding sites of the mouse βB2-crystallin-encoding gene

An 800-bp fragment of genomic DNA upstream from the origin of transcription of the mouse βB2-crystallin-encoding gene (βB2-Cry) has been isolated and its nucleotide sequence determined. Promoter fragments 275 to + 30 or -110 to + 30, fused to cat reporter gene, activated transcription in transiently transfected rabbit lens epithelial cells, but not in various non-lens cells. The βB2-Cry mouse promoter contains a typical TATA-box located approx. 25 bp upstream from the transcription start point. Binding sites (upstream from the TATA-box) for transcription factors possibly involved in the regulation of gene expression have been identified by DNaseI footprinting analysis and lens cell nuclear extracts. Most notably is the binding of the Pax-6 paired domain (PrD) which correlates with the binding of lens cell nuclear proteins at the -80 to -40 region.