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Identification of an Xiap-like pseudogene on mouse chromosome 7

Aneta Kotevski1, Wendy D Cook, David L Vaux

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.

Plos One
|December 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified a novel gene in mice resembling XIAP/BIRC4. Despite high sequence identity, this gene, Xiap-ps1, is a non-functional pseudogene, likely formed by retro-transposition of Xiap mRNA.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Apoptosis Research

Background:

  • The X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP/BIRC4) is a key regulator of apoptosis.
  • High-throughput sequencing identified a XIAP/BIRC4-like gene in the mouse genome.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To confirm the existence of the Xiap-like gene.
  • To determine the functional significance of this novel gene.

Main Methods:

  • Southern and Northern blot analysis were performed.
  • Gene sequencing and analysis of all three reading frames were conducted.

Main Results:

  • The Xiap-like gene was detected in both wild-type and Xiap knockout mice.
  • No corresponding mRNA was found in any examined tissues.
  • Sequence analysis predicted only non-functional truncated polypeptides.

Conclusions:

  • The Xiap-like gene (Xiap-ps1) is a pseudogene.
  • Xiap-ps1 originated from retro-transposition of spliced Xiap mRNA.
  • This pseudogene lacks introns and cannot produce functional protein.

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