Structure and expression of the mouse oxytocin receptor gene.

To determine the structure of the mouse oxytocin receptor (OTR) gene, we have screened a mouse genomic library and confirmed cDNA sequence with rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Southern blot using human OTR cDNA probes indicated that the mouse genome has a single copy of the gene. The predicted amino acid sequence is 91% identical to human OTR. The gene contains 4 exons and 3 introns. Exons 1 and 2 contain the 5' untranslated region, with exons 3 and 4 encoding the amino acids of the receptor. Intron 3 interrupts the coding at the same location, after transmembrane domain 6, as in OTR genes of other species. The promoter region lacks an apparent TATA box but contains multiple putative interleukin-response elements and estrogen responsive elements. Expression of OTR gene in the uterus during pregnancy reached maximum at day 20 gestation. The information obtained from the mouse OTR gene facilitates further comparative and biochemical analysis for protein structure-function relationships and gene regulatory mechanisms.