Characterization of the mouse CP27 promoter and NF-Y mediated gene regulation

The cp27 gene is a highly conserved and unique gene with important roles related to craniofacial organogenesis. The present study is a first analysis of the CP27 promoter and its regulation. Here, we have cloned the promoter of the mouse cp27 gene, examined its transcriptional activity, and identified transcription factor binding sites in the proximal promoter region. Two major transcription start sites were mapped adjacent to exon 1. Promoter function analysis of the 5′ flanking region by progressive 5′ deletion mutations localized transcription repression elements between −1993 bp and −969 bp and several positive elements between −968 bp and the preferred transcription start site. EMSA and functional studies indicated two function-cooperative CCAAT boxes and identified the NF-Y transcription factor as the CCAAT activator controlling transactivation of the CP27 promoter. In addition, this study demonstrated that for its effective binding and function, NF-Y required not only the minimal DNA segment length identified by deletion studies, but also a defined nucleotide sequence in the distal 3′ flanking region of the CP27 proximal promoter CCAAT box. These results provide a basis for our understanding of the specific regulation of the cp27 gene in the NF-Y-mediated gene transcription network.