Structure and expression of the mouse prealbumin gene.

We cloned a genomic DNA fragment which covers the entire sequence of the mouse prealbumin gene and then studied the structure. The coding regions are separated into four exons by three introns, and these numbers, the sizes of the exons and the relative sites of the exon-intron junctions are all in complete agreement with those determined for the human gene. The sequences of four exons can be aligned perfectly with that of the previously determined mouse prealbumin cDNA. In addition to the exon regions, we found two highly conserved DNA regions between the mouse and human prealbumin genes, one in the 5'-flanking region of the gene and the other in the 3' end region of the first intron. These DNA regions contain several consensus glucocorticoid receptor-binding site sequences, and the latter also contains an enhancer sequence present in the immunoglobulin kappa-chain joining-constant kappa intron. RNA hybridizing to the mouse prealbumin cDNA was detected in the extracts from liver, brain, and kidney, but was not detected in testes, spleen, or heart. Little change was caused in the level of prealbumin mRNA in the liver by administration of dexamethasone to mice.