Genomic organization of the translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) gene from shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus.

The shrimp translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) gene was previously found up-regulated in response to viral infection. In order to further understand the transcriptional regulation of TCTP gene expression under viral challenge, the 5'-flanking promoter region of the TCTP gene in shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus (Mj-TCTP) was cloned by using genomic walking method. The sequence shows that this region contains many important potential binding sites for transcription factors, such as activator protein1 (AP1), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), Ets like transcription factor-1 (Elk-1), suggesting its expression is highly regulated. The promoter activity of this 5'-flanking region was confirmed by fusing to the enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) gene and testing in Trichoplusia ni High Five cell line. Along with the introns and exons cloned in this study, the Mj-TCTP DNA sequence was reported here as the first TCTP gene with complete genomic organization in crustaceans.