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Sequence analysis of the conserved protamine gene cluster shows that it contains a fourth expressed gene
Author(s) -
Schlüter Gregor,
Celik Arzu,
Obata Renato,
Schlicker Mike,
Hofferbert Sigrun,
Schlung Astrid,
Adham Ibrahim M.,
Engel Wolfgang
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2795(199601)43:1<1::aid-mrd1>3.0.co;2-w
Subject(s) - biology , protamine , gene , gene cluster , genetics , coding region , conserved sequence , microbiology and biotechnology , nucleic acid sequence , sequence analysis , peptide sequence , biochemistry , heparin
Structural data are presented on the protamine gene cluster (PGC) of human, mouse, rat, and bull. By restriction mapping we demonstrate that the organization of the protamine cluster is conserved throughout all four species, i.e., the genes are situated in a head to tail arrangement in the order: protamine l‐protamine 2‐transition protein 2. Further, we established the nucleotide sequence of the entire human PGC (25 kb in total) and the 3′ portion of the rat protamine cluster (PRM2 and TNP2 genes and intergenic region). In addition, a 1 kb fragment of the bovine and murine protamine cluster, situated between PRM2 and TNP2, was sequenced. This fragment is conserved regarding sequence, position, and orientation in all species examined, and was classified as likely coding region by gene recognition program GRAIL. Using the rat fragment as a probe in RNA blots, we detected a testis‐specific signal of about 0.5 kb. Finally, we demonstrate a high density of Alu elements, both full and fragmented copies, in the human PGC and discuss their localization with respect to evolutionary and functional aspects. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.