| Research Abstract |
Expression of mouse mast cell protease (mMCP) genes was examined with particular attention to the transactivation effect of mi transcription factor (MITF) and the expression differences between C57BL/6 (B6) and WB strains. We had reported the enhancing effect of MITF on the expression of mMCP-4, -5 and -6 genes in cultured mast cells (CMCs) of B6 strain, and in the present study we demonstrated the enhancing effect on the expression of mMCP-2 and -9 genes as well. The enhancing effect of MITF on the expression of mMCP-2, -4, -5, -6 and -9 genes was also detected in CMCs of WB strain. The regulation of mMCP-2, -4, and -9 genes was localized to a specific promoter element (CANNTG) which was recognized and bound by MITF and which was conserved between B6 and WB strains. On the other hand, the expression of mMCP-2, -4 and -9 genes was smaller in CMCs of B6 strain when compared to their expression in CMCs of WB strain. Although mMCP-5 is a chymase as mMCP-2, -4 and -9, and genes encoding all the chymases are located on chromosome 14, thb mMCP-5 gene was regulated in a manner distinct from mMCP-2, -4 and -9 genes.
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