Androgen Regulation of the Rat Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF/FGF7) Promoter

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications 1996-03, Vol.220 (3), p.858-863
• Main Authors: Fasciana, Claudia, van der Made, Angelique C., Faber, Peter W., Trapman, Jan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Androgens - physiology; Animals; Base Sequence; Cell Line; DNA Primers; DNA, Complementary; Embryonic and Fetal Development; Fibroblast Growth Factor 10; Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; Fibroblast Growth Factors; Gene Expression Regulation; Genitalia, Male - embryology; Genitalia, Male - physiology; Growth Substances - biosynthesis; Growth Substances - genetics; Humans; Luciferases - biosynthesis; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Prostate - embryology; Prostate - physiology; Rats; Receptors, Androgen - biosynthesis; Recombinant Proteins - biosynthesis; Restriction Mapping; Seminal Vesicles - embryology; Seminal Vesicles - physiology; TATA Box; Transfection
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.1996.0497

Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF/FGF7) is a candidate andromedin in normal embryonic development of male accessory sex glands, such as the prostate and seminal vesicles. The expression of KGF mRNA and protein is androgen-responsive. To elucidate the regulation of expression of the KGF gene, we isolated the first two exons of the KGF gene and approximately 15 kb upstream sequences. The major transcription start site was mapped. It is preceded by a CAAT-box and a TATA-box. Transient transfections in LNCaP cells revealed that, upon treatment with the synthetic androgen R1881, KGF promoter activity is upregulated 6 to 11 fold, indicating androgen regulation of the KGF promoter in the region from position −1900 to −1200. The longest construct (BH-pLuc: −4700 to +901) has a much higher basal activity than the shorter constructs, indicating that in the region −4700 to −2700 additional activating sequences are present.