Upstream structure of human ADH7 gene and the organ distribution of its expression

The ADH7 gene encoding human class IV (σ) alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) was cloned from a Caucasian genomic DNA library and its upstream structure was determined. Moreover, the organ distribution of its expression was examined. Northern hybridization analysis with a specific probe for σ-ADH showed that expression of the gene is organ specific rather than ubiquitous, and occurs in the stomach but not in the liver. The lack of CG rich sequence and presence of TATA and CCAAT boxes in the upstream region of ADH7 may reflect the organ specific expression. The findings that this region lacks hepatocyte nuclear factor and has only one CCAAT enhancer binding protein consensus site may account for the fact that this gene is not expressed in the liver. The upstream region had sequences which are compatible with a glucocorticoid response element, a metal binding factor-1, and an active gene regulatory protein-1, suggesting that sex hormones, zinc, and retinoic acid may be involved in the regulation of the expression of this gene.