Cloning and characterization of the 5' end (exon 1) of the gene encoding human factor X

Human blood-coagulation factor X (hBCFX) is a serine protease zymogen which participates in the middle phase of blood coagulation. Recently, we and others have reported the cDNA sequences. At present, partial hBCFX gene structure is available. In this paper, we report the isolation of two genomic clones, the X-emb lambda phage clone encoding exons 1 and 2 of the hBCFX gene, and the X-cos cosmid clone encoding exons 2-8. The restriction map of the hBCFX region spans 55 kb. The gene itself was found to be 27 kb long. The sequence of the 5' region of the hBCFX gene has been determined and reveals an ATTTG pentanucleotide, which also occurs in a similar location in the genes encoding factors VII, IX, protein CC and C prothrombin, suggesting that this motif might be of importance in the regulation of these genes.