c-fos mRNA is induced by many types of noxious stimuli that are known to enhance transcription mediated by the heat shock element (HSE). Nonetheless, it has been accepted that the c-fos promoter does not contain an HSE. In this report, we revealed that the human and rodent c-fos promoters do contain HSEs which are highly responsive to heat, arsenite, and cadmium. These HSEs may play important roles in regulating c-fos expression in various pathological and physiological situations.
Copyright 1999 Academic Press.