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Structure and evolution of the bovine prothrombin gene
D M Irwin1, K A Robertson, R T MacGillivray
1Department of Biochemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Journal of Molecular Biology
|March 5, 1988
Summary
Researchers analyzed the bovine prothrombin gene, revealing its structure and evolutionary relationships. Findings suggest gene duplication and exon shuffling shaped its early development, with later intron insertions.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- The prothrombin gene is crucial for blood coagulation.
- Understanding gene structure provides insights into evolutionary processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the cloned bovine prothrombin gene.
- To investigate the evolutionary origins of its different domains.
Main Methods:
- Partial DNA sequence analysis of the bovine prothrombin gene.
- Identification of 5' and 3' flanking sequences and intron-exon junctions.
Main Results:
- The bovine prothrombin gene is approximately 15.4 kb with 14 exons and 13 introns.
- Exon organization for the prepro-leader and gamma-carboxyglutamic acid regions resembles Factor IX and Protein C genes.
- Exon organization for kringle and serine protease regions differs, suggesting later intron insertions.
Conclusions:
- The bovine prothrombin gene's structure evolved through gene duplication and exon shuffling.
- Intron insertion events likely occurred after initial gene duplication in specific regions.