Genomic structure and promoter analysis of the gene encoding MM3, a member of transmembrane 4 superfamily

Abstract We have isolated genomic clones encoding hamster MM3, a member of transmembrane 4 superfamily (TM4SF). Nucleotide (nt) sequence analysis revealed that it is composed of 5 exons spanning about 8 kb. The exon-intron organization of the MM3 gene was quite different from those of other TM4SF members. We also identified its transcription start points ( tsp ) and the promoter region. Deletion analysis of the promoter revealed that about 160-bp region containing TATA-box, CAAT-box and GC-box was necessary for efficient transcription in cultured cells.