Research article summary (published 13 Aug 2009):

Identification and functional characterization of the promoter of the mouse sodium-activated sodium channel Na(x) gene (Scn7a).

Full Abstract

Na(x) is a sodium channel, thought to be a descendant of the voltage-gated sodium channel family. Nevertheless, Na(x) is not activated by voltage but rather by augmentation of extracellular sodium over 150 mM. In the brain, it is localized to the circumventricular organs, important regions for salt and water homeostasis in mammals, where it operates as a sodium-level sensor of body fluid. Na(x) channel is expressed in lung, uterus, and heart, and it is also found in trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia and in nonmyelinating Schwann cells, where its physiological role remains unclarified. Here we identified the promoter and transcription start sites of Na(x) sodium channel in dorsal root ganglia neurons from mouse. We report a characterization of the basal TATA-less promoter and the sequence requirements for promoter activity in Neuro 2A neuroblastoma cells and in dorsal root ganglia neurons, where basal promoter activity seems to require NGFI-C and Ebox DNA elements. Finally, we provide evidence that a repression mechanism that inhibits Na(x) expression may be present in certain tissues. These findings provide the basis with which to understand tissue-specific regulation of Na(x) sodium channel gene (Scn7a) expression.

Author information

Author/s: García-Villegas, Refugio (R); López-Alvarez, Luz E (LE); Arni, Stephan (S); Rosenbaum, Tamara (T); Morales, Marco A (MA);

Affiliation: Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, D.F., México. rgarciav(-atsign-)fisio.cinvestav.mx

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of neuroscience research (J Neurosci Res), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Aug; vol 87 (issue 11) : pp 2509-19

Dates: Created 2009/07/07; Completed 2009/09/21;

PMID: 19326446, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 9/21/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Animals Cell Line, Tumor Cells, Cultured Enzyme Inhibitors - pharmacology Ganglia, Spinal - drug effects; metabolism Gene Expression - drug effects Histone Deacetylases - antagonists & inhibitors Hydroxamic Acids - pharmacology Male

Male Mice Mice, Inbred BALB C Mutation Neurons - drug effects; metabolism Promoter Regions, Genetic RNA, Messenger - metabolism Sodium Channels - genetics; metabolism Transcription, Genetic

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

Associated Chemicals: Enzyme Inhibitors (0) ; Hydroxamic Acids (0) ; RNA, Messenger (0) ; Scn7a protein, mouse (0) ; Sodium Channels (0) ; trichostatin A (58880-19-6) ; Histone Deacetylases (EC 3.5.1.-)

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