We have isolated and characterised the promoter of the mouse Scnn1a (alpha ENaC) gene. Using transient transfections of serial deletion mutants into Scnn1a-expressing cells, we demonstrate that 1.56 kb of 5' upstream sequence is required for cell-specific expression and corticosteroid-mediated regulation. These 5' sequences are not sufficient to drive expression of a lacZ reporter gene or a rat Scnn1a cDNA in transgenic mice, where they failed to rescue Scnn1a deficiency.