Genomic and cDNA clones encoding the chicken neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor 3 subunit were isolated and sequenced. The 3 gene consists of six protein-encoding exons and the deduced protein has the structural features found in all other members of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit family. Although they are undetectable in most brain compartments, 3 mRNAs are relatively abundant in the developing retina and in the trigeminal ganglion. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that in retina, 3 transcripts and protein are confined to subpopulations of cells in the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers. 3 is expressed in the proximal and distal regions of the developing trigeminal ganglion, i.e. in both placode- and neural crest-derived neurons. Transient transfection assays in cells freshly dissociated from selected regions of the central nervous system at different developmental stages allowed the identification of genetic elements involved in the neuronal-selective expression of the 3 gene. A promoter fragment 143 base pairs in length and containing TATA, CAAT, and other consensus sequences is sufficient to restrict reporter gene expression to a subpopulation of retinal neurons. This promoter is totally inactive upon transfection into neuronal and non-neuronal cells from other regions of the central nervous system.

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