Hormonal regulatory elements within the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) (EC 4.1.1.32) (PEPCK) promoter region were mapped using a series of 5' deletions linked to the amino-3'-glycosyl phosphotransferase structural gene. These deletion mutants were stably transfected into the genome of FTO-2B hepatoma cells. A 47-base pair region of the PEPCK promoter was identified which was essential for stimulation by dibutyryl cAMP. A 12-base pair core sequence (CTTACGTCAGAG) within this region shows significant homology with sequences in four other cAMP-regulated genes. There are two glucocorticoid regulatory elements within the promoter, as well as an inhibitory element which depresses the level of basal gene transcription. The deletion of this inhibitory sequence prevents the induction of the chimeric gene by dexamethasone. The existence of the hormone regulatory domains within the PEPCK promoter was confirmed by attaching these elements upstream of the heterologous Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase structural gene, containing its own promoter.