Multiple regulatory regions control the transcription of medaka germ gene vasa

► The highly conserved vasa is a model for understanding of germ gene transcription towards analyzing germ cell development. ► The 5.1-kb medaka vasa promoter is sufficient to drive germline-specific expression in transgenic animals. ► Reporter assays in germ cell culture reveals 11 regulatory regions in the vasa promoter. ► We provide first evidence for the complexity of transcriptional control of a germ gene in vertebrates.