Peas-Mea1-Ppp2r5d overlapping gene complex: a transposon mediated-gene formation in mammals

Human and mouse MEA1/Mea1 is flanked by two overlapping genes, a novel PEAS/Peas in a head-to-head orientation and PPP2R5D/Ppp2r5d in a tail-to-tail orientation making a Peas-Mea1-Ppp2r5d overlapping gene complex (PMP-complex). Genomic zoo blot analyses and database searching revealed that Mea1 exists only in mammals, while Peas and Ppp2r5d are conserved in eukaryotes. Mea1 and Peas are transcribed from a testis-expressed bidirectional promoter. Mea1-Ppp2r5d overlapping segment (MPOS) contains polyadenylation signals for both genes and shows marked conservation throughout mammals. Furthermore, the MPOS occupies 3'-region of transcripts of both genes is expected to form a clover-like intramolecular structure. Mouse genomic library Screening and database searches identified two MPOS-derived sequences in Odf2 gene and RP23-86H7 cosmid clone, respectively, in which MPOS might be a core segment for the retropositions. Thus, a key role of MPOS, a short transposable element containing polyadenylation signals on both strands, in the formation of the Mea1 during mammalian evolution is suggested.