SHORT COMMUNICATION Sequence of the WT1 Upstream Region Including the Wit-1 Gene

The Wilms tumor gene WTl encodes a Cys2His2-type zinc finger protein that can bind DNA and function as a transcriptional regulator. The pathological spectrum of tumorigenesis and various developmental defects produced by different WTl alterations suggests that WTl controls a number of subsequent effector genes. To define the role of WTl in these developmental pro­ cesses it will be important to elucidate mechanisms that govern expression of WTl itself. To facilitate mapping of the WTl promoter region and 5' control elements we have determined the sequence upstream of the WTl transcription unit. This includes the Wit-l gene that is transcribed in the opposite direction. © 1993 Academic Press, Inc.