Analysis of dipeptidyl peptidase IV gene regulation in transgenic mice: DNA elements sufficient for promoter activity in the kidney, but not the intestine, reside on the proximal portion of the gene 5'-flanking region.

Abstract The dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) gene encodes a brush border membrane exopeptidase that is expressed in a tissue-restricted fashion. To examine the regulation of DPPIV transcription in various tissues in vivo, we examined the expression of DPPIV 5′-flanking region (promoter)–human growth hormone reporter constructs in transgenic mice. These mice exhibited cell-type specific reporter expression in kidney. Surprisingly, however, only very low to non-detectable levels of reporter were found in small intestine. These results indicate that DNA elements sufficient for DPPIV expression in kidney, but not intestine, reside in the 5′-flanking region of the gene.