Identification of two novel elements involved in human MUC1 gene expression in vivo

Abstract

Background: MUC1, a membrane-tethered glycoprotein that is expressed on a number of epithelial cell types in vivo, is over-expressed in adenocarcinomas and thought to play a significant role in tumour progression and metastasis. Hence, elucidation of the mechanisms of regulation of MUC1 gene expression is of considerable biological importance. Our aim was to evaluate regulation of MUC1 expression in vivo. Materials and Methods: DNase I hypersensitive sites (DHS) were mapped in chromatin from human cell lines and human MUC1 transgenic mice. MUC1 expression was evaluated by RT-PCR and Northern blots. Results: We identified two novel DHS in the MUC1 promoter at -750 bp and -250 bp from the transcriptional start site. These DHS were detected in human cell lines and in a human MUC1 transgene in mice. The -750 DHS was apparent in many cell types irrespective of the level of MUC1 expression but the -250 DHS was only evident in cells that express MUC1 and its intensity correlated with the abundance of MUC1 transcripts. The -250 DHS became undetectable in cell lines representing a transition from colon adenoma to carcinoma, commensurate with a significant reduction in MUC1 expression. Conclusions: The -750 and -250 regions are conserved between the human MUC1 and mouse MUC1 genes and may be associated with functionally important genetic elements. The DHS at 3250 is in the vicinity of previously defined purine/pyrimidine mirror repeat elements that may form intramolecular H-DNA structures, which can alter the accessibility of chromatin to regulatory proteins.