Mouse Cyp2g1 gene: Promoter structure and tissue-specific expression of a Cyp2g1-LacZ fusion gene in transgenic mice

The structure of the mouse Cyp2g1 gene was determined to identify regulatory regions important for its olfactory mucosa-specific expression. Two Cyp2g1 genomic clones were isolated and characterized. A 3.6-kilobase 5′-flanking sequence was used to prepare a Cyp2g1-LacZ fusion gene for transgenic mice production. Transgene expression, as determined by β-galactosidase activity in tissue extracts, was detected in the olfactory mucosa, but not in any other tissues examined, in five different transgenic lines. Thus, the 3.6-kilobase fragment contained regulatory elements sufficient for olfactory mucosa-specific and proper developmental expression of the reporter gene. However, histological and immunohistochemical studies indicated that the expression of the transgene in the olfactory mucosa was patchy and the cellular expression patterns of the transgene did not exactly match that of the endogenous gene. These results implicate the presence of additional regulatory sequences that are necessary for the correct cell type-selectivity within the olfactory mucosa.