Structure and promoter characterization of the gene encoding the large subunit (R1 protein) of mouse ribonucleotide reductase.

Mammalian ribonucleotide reductase (EC 1.17.4.1) is composed of two nonidentical subunits, proteins R1 and R2, both required for enzyme activity. The structure of the genomic mouse ribonucleotide reductase R1 gene was compiled from a number of overlapping lambda clones isolated from a Charon 4A mouse sperm genomic library. The R1-encoding gene covers 26 kb and consists of 19 exons. All exon-intron boundaries were located by dideoxynucleotide sequencing, showing that intron 7 starts with the variant GC instead of GT. About 3.5 kb of DNA from the 5'-flanking region of the R1-encoding gene were cloned and sequenced, and the transcriptional start site was determined by nuclease S1 mapping of RNA. DNase I footprinting assays on the R1 promoter identified two nearly identical 23-bp-long protein-binding regions. Three protein complexes binding to one of the 23-mer regions were resolved and partially identified by using gel-retardation mobility-shift assays and UV crosslinking. One complex most likely contained Sp1, and another complex showed S-phase-specific binding, suggesting a direct role in the cell-cycle-dependent R1 gene expression.