To study cell type-specific regulation of the gene for amyloid precursor protein (APP), we have analysed the human APP promoter for transcriptional activity and interaction with nuclear proteins in the neuronal cell line NG108-15. Sequences from -203 to +104 were sufficient for promoter function and regulatory elements within this region (-128 to -63) were identified by DNase I protection experiments. These results suggest that essentially the same proximal elements are recognized by nuclear factors from both neuronal and nonneuronal cells.