The Oct-2 glutamine-rich and proline-rich activation domains can synergize with each other or duplicates of themselves to activate transcription.

The B-cell POU homeodomain protein Oct-2 contains two transcriptional activation domains, one N terminal and the other C terminal of the central DNA-binding POU domain. The synergistic action of these two activation domains makes Oct-2 a more potent activator of mRNA promoters than the related broadly expressed octamer motif-binding protein Oct-1, which contains an N-terminal but not a C-terminal Oct-2-like activation domain. Both Oct-2 mRNA promoter activation domains were delineated by truncation analysis: the N-terminal Q domain is a 66-amino-acid region rich in glutamines, and the C-terminal P domain is a 42-amino-acid region rich in prolines.

The function of conserved elements in the promoter of the mouse angiotensinogen gene.

The angiotensinogen gene encodes the precursor protein for the potent vasoconstrictor angiotensin II. Although the gene is expressed in several tissues, the liver is the major source of circulating protein. In previous in-vivo studies we have found that a mini-gene containing 750 bp of 5'-flanking sequence is transcribed in a manner which largely parallels the expression of the endogenous gene.

The relaxin gene is located on chromosome 19 in the mouse.

Relaxin is a polypeptide hormone that exerts a variety of physiological effects during pregnancy. To investigate the possibility that known genetic mutations affecting aspects of reproductive physiology result in alterations in the structure or production of relaxin, we have determined the chromosomal location of the mouse gene. The finding of a BamHI restriction fragment length polymorphism in AKR mice enabled us to use recombinant inbred strains to make an assignment to chromosome 19.

The angiotensinogen gene of Swiss mice is closely linked to a retrovirus-like element.

Angiotensinogen is cleaved by renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme to liberate the potent vasocontrictor peptide angiotensin II. We have recently identified a cis-acting genetic lesion associated with high levels of angiotensinogen mRNA in the testis and salivary gland of Swiss mice. To determine the molecular basis of this mutation, the Swiss angiotensinogen gene was cloned, and its structure was compared to that from a low-expressing strain (BALB/c).

Acromegaly first diagnosed in pregnancy: the role of bromocriptine therapy.

We report a case of acromegaly diagnosed in the second trimester of pregnancy. Bromocriptine (7.5 mg per day) corrected visual field defects and suppressed prolactin secretion but did not reduce fasting growth hormone levels.