Cloning and characterization of the bovine myostatin promoter

Myostatin a TGF beta superfamily member has been shown to be present in high levels in the myogenic precursor cells of dermomyotome and in the adult muscle fiber. To identify cis-acting DNA elements involved in myostatin gene expression, we have isolated and sequenced several kilobases of the bovine myostatin promoter region. Sequence analysis of the 1.6 kb immediate upstream region of bovine myostatin revealed several muscle specific transcription factor binding sites such as E-boxes and an MEF2 binding site in this region.