AN ASSAY FOR AGENTS THAT AFFECT CHOLESTEROL 7 alpha -HYDROXYLASE EXPRESSION AND A CHARACTERIZATION OF ITS REGULATORY ELEMENTS

摘要

DNA regulatory elements that control cholesterol 7 alpha -hydroxylase (CYP7) expression are disclosed, including a CYP7 minigene that comprises nucleotides downstream from about -371 of the proximal promoter region through about the middle of intron II, inclusive of intron I. This minigene further is stably transfected into a cell line, along with a reporter gene. A method is provided for screening agents that inhibit or stimulate expression of the minigene.