Institute of Radiation Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C.
A genomic DNA clone containing Chinese hamster metallothionein II (MTII) gene and its 5' flanking region was isolated from Cd resistant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. DNA sequence analysis showed that there are three exons and two introns in the structure of the MTII gene. Further characterization of the 5' flanking region reveals the possible transcription initiation site, metal responsive element and basal-level enhancer sequence. Putatively, this is the promoter region of CHO MTII gene.