Mutated elements of a complex promoter (Amh) can help to demonstrate the role of certain elements in controlling differential gene expression

Abstract

Amh is a single copy gene which is expressed in different ways during mammalian development. Several potential promoter elements have been identified using physiological experimentation and on the basis of interspecific sequence comparison. The role of putative promoter elements in controlling gene expression has been investigated by many workers over the last two decades and here by individually mutating each element. Expression was measured in vitro in cells of Sertoli descent by flowcytometry using EGFP as a reporter gene. Three lines of murine cells were used; pre- and post-pubertal Sertoli and granulosa cells. Differences between the three lines of cells, support the view that differentiation in this in vitro model system is likely to be at the level of available transcription factors at given points in development.