Multiple enhancer-like sequences in the HLA-B7 gene.

Enhancer-like sequences have previously been identified in the promoter region of the mouse major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genes. We have screened for such sequences in and around a human MHC class I gene, HLA-B7. Various restriction fragments of the B7 gene were assayed for their ability to enhance transcription of a bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene from a simian virus 40 promoter in transiently transfected mouse LTA cells. Our results demonstrate that enhancer activity is located in introns 3 and 5 as well as 5' to the transcription initiation site. RNase protection experiments corroborate the results. Preliminary experiments indicate that B7 enhancers are active in various cell types. The role of these enhancers in B7 gene expression is not known at present. We speculate that the position of the enhancer elements may be related to the occurrence of Hpa II tiny fragment islands.