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Novel related cDNAs (C184L, C184M, and C184S) from developing mouse brain encoding two apparently unrelated proteins
M Sakuma-Takagi1, Y Tohyama, H Kasama-Yoshida
1Institute of Life Science, Soka University, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-8577, Japan.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|October 8, 1999
Summary
Researchers identified three mouse cDNAs (C184L, C184M, C184S) transcribed from a single gene. These cDNAs encode proteins with potential roles in development, suggesting a shared genetic origin for distinct transcription units.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Three related complementary DNAs (cDNAs), designated C184L, C184M, and C184S, were isolated from a developing mouse brain cDNA library.
- C184S represents the 5'-end portion and C184M the 3'-end portion of C184L, indicating potential alternative splicing or transcript processing.
- C184S and C184M contain distinct open reading frames (ORFs) encoding 199 (ORF1) and 189 (ORF2) amino acids, respectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic organization and transcriptional relationship of the C184L, C184M, and C184S cDNAs.
- To determine if these related mRNAs originate from a single gene and to explore the regulatory mechanisms involved.
- To compare the findings with recently reported human and mouse homologs of the identified ORFs.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of cDNAs from a developing mouse brain library.
- Southern blot analysis to assess gene structure and mRNA origins.
- Sequence analysis to identify open reading frames and potential regulatory elements.
Main Results:
- Southern blot analysis indicated that all three related mRNAs are transcribed from a single gene.
- The intervening region of C184L cDNA between ORF1 and ORF2 contained a promoter sequence for C184M mRNA.
- The study identified a dicistronic structure in C184L (containing both ORF1 and ORF2), though translation appears limited to ORF1.
- Results suggest that mRNAs encoding apparently unrelated proteins (human autoantigen p27 homologue and a mouse mammary tumor virus receptor isoform) originate from adjacent or overlapping genomic regions.
Conclusions:
- The three related mouse cDNAs (C184L, C184M, C184S) are transcribed from a single gene, demonstrating complex transcriptional regulation.
- A promoter sequence within the C184L cDNA suggests a mechanism for the independent transcription of C184M.
- The findings indicate a shared genomic origin for transcription units encoding proteins previously considered unrelated, highlighting potential functional or regulatory connections.