pDRIVE-SYN1

SYN1 promoter (Neurons) in pDRIVE expression plasmid

Synapsin I is a neuron-specific phosphoprotein that coats the cytoplasmic surface of small synaptic vesicles. The proximal region of the synapsin I promoter (-422 to -22) is sufficient to direct neuron-specific gene expression.

Neuron specificity is conferred by a putative binding site for the zinc finger protein, neuron-restrictive silencer factor/RE-1 silencing transcription factor (NRSF/REST).

The NRSF/REST protein, which is expressed only in non-neuronal cells, represses the activity of constitutive enhancers thus silencing the expression of synapsin I in non-neuronal cells [1].

The synapsin I promoter has been used to achieve highly neuron-specific long-term transgene expression in vivo [2].

References:

1. Schoch S. et al., 1996. Neuron-specific gene expression of synapsin I. Major role of a negative regulatory mechanism. J Biol Chem. 271(6):3317-23.
2. Kugler S. et al., 2003. Human synapsin 1 gene promoter confers highly neuron-specific long-term transgene expression from an adenoviral vector in the adult rat brain depending on the transduced area. Gene Ther. 10(4):337-47.