Cloning of the murine ER71 gene (Etsrp71) and initial characterization of its promoter

The ER71 protein belongs to the ETS transcription factor family and is testis-specifically expressed in adult mice. Here we describe the cloning of the respective Etsrp71 gene and promoter. The murine Etsrp71 gene is relatively compact, spanning 3 kb, and is arranged into seven exons and six introns, the majority of which are highly conserved in rat and human. Its promoter is devoid of a TATA box and transcription starts at multiple sites. Furthermore, two ER71 isoforms exist that differ by 22 N-terminal amino acids, but show no difference in DNA binding or transactivation. Close to the transcription initiation sites, we identified a binding site for the transcription factor Sp1. Mutation of this binding site severely diminished the ability of Sp1 to activate the Etsrp71 promoter. The findings reported here may provide avenues for further research elucidating the regulation of Etsrp71 gene activity during embryogenesis and in adult testes.