Intronic enhancement of angiotensin II type 2 receptor transgene expression in vitro and in vivo.

The angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) can influence a variety of intracellular signaling molecules and cellular functions. However, its physiological functions and the roles of introns in the regulation of its expression have not been well determined. We first demonstrated that both intron 1 and intron 2 of AT2R could significantly enhance AT2R overexpression. Thus, we have provided some new prerequisites for further studies on the mechanisms that control AT2R gene expression. Next, we established a highly efficient method of delivering this receptor in vitro and in vivo using an AT2R recombinant adenoviral vector containing two introns of the AT2R. The vector may be useful in helping to uncover AT2R physiological functions and also for gene therapy related to AT2R. Moreover, we determined the important role of introns in gene expression cassettes and the inconsistency of expression between the targeted gene and the reporter gene.