Human tumor necrosis factor receptor p75/80 (CD120b) gene structure and promoter characterization

Tumor necrosis factor receptor p75 (TNF-R p75) is a 75-kDa type I transmembrane protein expressed predominantly on cells of hematopoietic lineage. TNF-R p75 belongs to the TNF receptor superfamily characterized by cysteine rich extracellular regions composed of three to six disulfide-linked domains. In the present report we have characterized, for the first time, the complete gene structure for human TNF-R p75, which spans approximately 43 kbp. The gene consists of 10 exons (ranging from 34 base pairs to 2.5 kilobase pairs) and nine introns (343 base pairs to 19 kilobase pairs). Consensus elements for transcription factors involved in T cell development and activation were noted in the 5'-flanking region including T cell factor-1, Ikaros, AP-1, CK-2, interleukin-6 receptor E (IL-6RE), ISRE, GAS, NF-kappa B, and Sp1. The unusual (GATA)(n) and (GAA)(GGA) repeats found within intron 1 may prove useful for further genome analysis within the 1p36 chromosomal locus. Characterization of the human TNF-R p75 gene structure will permit further assessment of its involvement in normal hematopoietic cell development and function, autoimmune disease, and nonrandom translocations in hematopoietic malignancies.