The murine adenosine deaminase promoter requires an atypical TATA box which binds transcription factor IID and transcriptional activity is stimulated by multiple upstream Sp1 binding sites.

We have explored the template and factor requirements for in vitro transcription of the GC-rich promoter of the murine adenosine deaminase gene. The core promoter consists of an A-rich sequence (TAAAAAA) 27 base pairs upstream of the initiation site which binds transcription factor IID (TFIID) and a high affinity Sp1 binding site located 27 base pairs further upstream. Multiple upstream elements increased core promoter activity 20-fold and correspond to protected regions in DNase I footprinting assays with purified Sp1 protein. Internal deletion of the TA6 element alone eliminated transcription in spite of the presence of all other promoter elements including four Sp1 binding sites. Recombinant human TFIID supported weak basal transcription in heat-treated nuclear extracts whereas a partially purified TFIID fraction from HeLa cells reconstituted a maximal level of transcription. Inclusion of 12 base pairs immediately adjacent to the proximal Sp1 site resulted in a 5-fold boost in transcriptional activity and corresponds to a second Sp1 binding site. These results serve as a basis for further exploration of the factors involved in the developmental and selective high level tissue expression of the murine adenosine deaminase gene.