Osteonectin promoter. DNA sequence analysis and S1 endonuclease site potentially associated with transcriptional control in bone cells.

To understand the basis of osteonectin (SPARC) transcriptional regulation, we have isolated a bovine genomic clone (lambda Og15) encoding exon 1 and 15 kilobase pairs (kb) of flanking DNA. Direct RNA sequencing of the 5' end of the osteonectin message showed it contained a sequence identical to that of a 2.4-kb EcoRI-BamHI fragment located midway in the clone lambda Og15. The results indicate exon 1 is located 10 kb away from exon 2 in the bovine genome. The DNA sequence unit CCTG is repeated five times in exon 1 which is composed exclusively of untranslated sequence. Sequence analysis of the 5'-flanking DNA revealed the presence of many regulatory motifs including a "GC" box with four overlapping SP1 consensus sequences. Immediately downstream from the GC box is a 72-base pair purine-rich stretch composed primarily of direct repeats of the sequence motifs GGGGA and GGA (GAGA box). Digestion of the flanking DNA in vitro with S1 endonuclease showed a site for the enzyme at position -55 which is just 3' to the GAGA box. Chimeric chloramphenicol acetyltransferase constructs were prepared containing the S1-sensitive site and showed substantial transcriptional activity in UMR-106 and fetal and adult human bone cells which are known to be high producers of the protein. The results indicate a potential regulatory activity of the S1 site in osteonectin gene activation.