Steroid hormone dependence of four DNase I-hypersensitive regions located within the 7000-bp 5'-flanking segment of the ovalbumin gene.

Four DNase I-hypersensitive regions (I-IV) occur in the 5'-flanking region of the ovalbumin gene in hen oviducts. One is centered close to the cap site (position +1) of transcription and the others at -0.8, -3.3 and -6.0 kb. The correlation of hypersensitivity with transcription was determined for each region in oviducts of chicks, where expression of the ovalbumin gene can be controlled by administration and withdrawal of steroid hormones. DNase I-hypersensitive regions were mapped by the indirect end-labeling technique and ovalbumin mRNA levels were determined by the dot blot assay. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) induces the appearance of hypersensitive regions I-IV whereas progesterone induces regions I, II and IV, but not region III. Upon withdrawal, regions II and III, and most of regions I and IV, disappear. A weak zone of hypersensitivity in region I near the cap site persists during withdrawal and a new zone of hypersensitivity appears between regions I and II. There is strong correlation between hypersensitivity at regions I-IV and gene transcription; ovalbumin mRNA levels are high in stimulated chicks, where hypersensitive regions are present, and drop to very low levels in withdrawn chicks, where the hypersensitivity is absent. We suggest that proteins, perhaps hormone receptors acting together with tissue-specific factors, induce DNAse I-hypersensitive regions I-IV of the ovalbumin gene.