Molecular characterization and chromosomal localization of mouse Puralpha gene

Puralpha is a 39-kDa sequence-specific single-stranded DNA/RNA binding protein with the ability to modulate transcription of several genes containing the Pur element in their promoter region. Human and mouse Puralpha exhibit an extraordinary degree of conservation with only two changes at amino acid residues 49 and 306. A 15-kb genomic clone encompassing the mouse Puralpha gene was isolated by screening the mouse genomic library, using a PCR-amplified fragment from human Puralpha cDNA. Results from sequencing analysis confirmed the isolated genomic clone to be Puralpha and not the other members of the Pur family, including Purbeta. Characterization of the mouse Puralpha gene by restriction analysis/Southern blotting and sequencing revealed that the Puralpha gene contains only one intron within the 5' UTR and the open reading frame was intact. Using chromosomal markers, the Puralpha gene was mapped to chromosome 18 in mouse and rat.