pDRIVE-Tyr

Tyrosinase promoter in pDRIVE expression plasmid

Tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin synthesis, is expressed specifically in pigment-producing cells. The expression of tyrosinase is regulated by cyclic AMP (cAMP).

The M-box 70-bp upstream from the TATA-box and the E-box located downstream of the TATA-box, near the initiator site, are involved in the regulation of the tyrosinase promoter activity by cAMP [1].

Melanoma-specific expression of a transgene can be achieved by using the tyrosinase promoter [2], this targeted expression being further amplified by the addition of the melanocyte-specific enhancer.

References:

1. Bertolotto C. et al. 1996. Regulation of tyrosinase gene expression by cAMP in B16 melanoma cells involves two CATGTG motifs surrounding the TATA box: implication of the microphthalmia gene product. J Cell Biol. 134(3):747-55.
2. Vile R. et al. 1994. A comparison of the properties of different retroviral vectors containing the murine tyrosinase promoter to achieve transcriptionally targeted expression of the HSVtk or IL-2 genes. Gene Ther. 1(5):307-16.