Regulated expression of human growth hormone genes in mouse cells.

We have asked whether there are sequences around the human growth hormone gene that render this gene responsive to induction by glucocorticoid hormones. Recombinant clones encoding human growth hormone were introduced into the chromosome of murine fibroblasts by cotransformation. Exposure of cotransformants to glucocorticoids results in a three to five fold induction of human growth hormone mRNA and a similar induction in secreted human growth hormone protein. The DNA sequences required for induction reside within 500 nucleotides of 5'-flanking DNA. Fusion of this segment of 5'-flanking DNA to the structural gene sequences of a hormone-insensitive gene, such as thymidine kinase, now renders this gene responsive to glucocorticoid induction.