The rat and human hemopexin genes contain an identical interleukin-6 response element that is not a target of CAAT enhancer-binding protein isoforms.

Hemopexin (Hx) is an abundant acute-phase protein (APP) that binds heme with high affinity. In rat hepatic cells, the transcription rate of the Hx gene is increased by interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6. To investigate the cis-acting regulatory elements (REs) responsive to these hormones, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase constructs of rat and human Hx gene sequences were tested in transiently transfected hepatoma cells. An IL-6-RE was identified in the promoter of both rat and human Hx genes, the function of which was dependent on the core sequence (CCGGGAA) common in other APP genes. The previously characterized Hx A element mediated a relatively minor cytokine response as compared with the Hx IL-6-RE. The human Hx A element, in contrast to the rat and human Hx IL-6-REs, was strongly trans-activated by cotransfected CAAT enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBP)-beta and -delta. The rat gene homolog of the human Hx A element was inactive as a cytokine RE and was minimally trans-activated by C/EBP isoforms. Results of electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated that the Hx IL-6-RE is a binding site for the IL-6-inducible nuclear protein IL-6 RE-BP, which also binds to the conserved IL-6-REs of other APP genes and is distinct from C/EBP beta.