Related Experiment Videos
Structural and functional analysis of the human thymidylate synthase gene
S Kaneda1, J Nalbantoglu, K Takeishi
1Department of Immunology and Virology, Saitama Cancer Center Research Institute, Japan.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|November 25, 1990
Summary
Researchers sequenced the human thymidylate synthase (TS) gene, revealing its structure and regulatory elements. This provides insights into cell cycle control and gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Thymidylate synthase (TS) is a critical enzyme in DNA synthesis.
- Understanding the human TS gene's structure is essential for comprehending its regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the complete nucleotide sequence of the human TS gene.
- To identify regulatory elements controlling TS gene expression.
Main Methods:
- DNA sequencing
- Gene cloning
- Transfection into TS-deficient mutant cells
- Sequence analysis
Main Results:
- The human TS gene spans approximately 16 kbp, with seven exons and six introns.
- The promoter region and transcriptional start sites were identified upstream of the ATG codon.
- A minigene demonstrated cell cycle-dependent expression, indicating key regulatory elements are within the 5'-flanking region and intron 1.
- GC boxes were found in intron 1, and the gene exhibits G+C and CpG-rich characteristics.
Conclusions:
- The study elucidated the complete sequence and structural organization of the human TS gene.
- Key regulatory regions influencing cell cycle-dependent expression were identified.
- Sequence characteristics suggest unique regulatory mechanisms for the human TS gene.