Gene Networks Database

The Spec2a 5'-flanking region from position -1516 to +18 confers appropriate temporal activation and spatial expression to CAT and lacZ reporter genes, respectively, in the sea urchin embryo expression system (Gan and Klein, 1990; Gan et al., 1990; Gan and Klein, 1993).
This region can be subdivided in three parts. The distal region between base pairs -1516 and -697 is necessary for preventing expression in mesenchyme cells. The RSR enhancer between base pairs -631 and -443 is necessary and suffucient for aboral ectoderm and mesenchyme cell expression. The proximal region from -443 to +18 is required for basal promoter activity.