Identification and characterization of a novel gene encoding a SEREX antigen in chronic myeloid leukaemia

The novel gene encoding Clone 4, previously isolated through the Serological screening of recombinant expression cDNA library (SEREX) in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), was characterized. It is localized to chromosome 7 at q22, occupies approximately 4.5 kb of DNA and comprises 4 exons. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms and a 13 base deletion/insertion polymorphism have been identified. The mRNA transcript was approximately 2.4 kb and contained a long 5'-untranslated region of almost 1 kb before the candidate open reading frame. Northern blot analysis and multiple tissue expression array indicated a restricted normal tissue distribution. Our findings provide a platform for future investigations into the role of the gene product in CML.