Genomic organization of the human catechol O‐methyltransferase gene and its expression from two distinct promoters

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1994.tb19083.x
• Publication Date: 2005-03-04T10:51:02Z
• Authors: Jukka TENHUNEN; Marjo SALMINEN; Kenneth LUNDSTRÖM; Tuula KIVILUOTO; Raija SAVOLAINEN; Ismo ULMANEN
• Keywords: genomic DNA; Transcription; DNA methyltransferase

Human genomic DNA fragments containing catechol O ‐methyltransferase (COMT) sequences were isolated and the exon‐intron structure analysed by sequencing, PCR comparing to human COMT cDNA sequences. The gene contains six exons, of which exons 1 2 are non‐coding. MB‐ATG S‐ATG codons, responsible for initiation translation membrane‐bound (MB) soluble (S) forms enzyme, located in exon 3. Two distinct COMT‐specific transcripts, 1.3 kb 1.5 kb, detected various tissues cell lines. Different quantities shorter mRNA studied suggest a tissue‐specific regulation at transcriptional level. Mapping 5′ ends mRNAs showed that transcription initiates multiple sites two separate regions, preceded functional promoter proximal (P1), between codons extending approximately 200 bp upstream codon, apparently gives rise 1.3‐kb S‐COMT (S‐mRNA). distal (P2) is fragment front partly overlapping transcription‐start region 1.5‐kb transcript, suggesting it controls expression this MB‐mRNA. Similarities rat promoters analyzed.