Abstract
We have isolated and sequenced mouse endoA cDNA and endoA and endoB genes. Cytokeratins, EndoA and EndoB are typeII and typeI cytokeratins, respectively and expressed in trophectoderm cell lineages in the mouse embryos and later in simple and transitional epithelial cells in adult. The endoA gene is activated when undifferentiated teratocarcinoma cells (F9) are treated with retinoic acid. The chromatin structure is relaxed to become sensitive to DNase I by differentiation of the F9 cells at the 5' upstream region, at the promoter, and at the 3' downstream enhancer region. The investigation of DNA elements and protein factors which bind and activate the endoA gene are underway.
