Cloning, genomic organization, and osmotic response of the aldose reductase gene

Cloning and characterization of aldose reductase (AR) gene from rabbit to examine the modulation of the gene expression by hypersomalality reveal that the upstream region of rAR promoter contains osmotic response elements (OREs) in a DNA fragment that facilitates AR gene modulation during osmotic stress. Use of a 235-base pair fragment and the upstream sequences in luciferase reporter gene constructs enhances luciferase gene expression by 40 fold. Further analysis of OREs and their trans-acting factors help define the molecular processes that mediate the gene regulation during osmotic stress.