Cloning and Characterization of the Rat Gene Encoding GAP‐43

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Abstract
GAP‐43 is a gene expressed only in the nervous system. The protein product is believed to be important to neuronal growth and plasticity. Most, and likely all, neurons express high levels of GAP‐43 during periods of neurite elongation. To initiate studies of GAP‐43 gene regulation we have cloned the rat gene encoding GAP‐43. The GAP‐43 gene includes three exons. The first exon encodes only the amino terminal 10 amino acids, which corresponds to the membrane targeting domain of GAP‐43. The second exon encodes a putative calmodulin binding domain and a protein kinase C phosphorylation site. The 5′‐flanking sequence is unusual in that it lacks CAAT or TATA elements, and directs RNA transcription initiation from several sites. Some of the transcription start sites are used to a different degree in the central and peripheral nervous systems.