Related Experiment Videos
A single-copy relaxin-like gene sequence is present in sheep
P J Roche1, R J Crawford, G W Tregear
1Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Sheep relaxin gene sequencing revealed numerous stop codons, preventing the formation of functional sheep relaxin hormone. This indicates the gene likely does not produce a viable hormone in reproductive tissues.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Relaxin is a peptide hormone crucial for reproduction, synthesized as a precursor.
- Understanding relaxin gene expression is vital for reproductive biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize the sheep relaxin-like gene.
- To determine if the sheep relaxin gene can produce a functional hormone.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for cDNA isolation and cloning.
- Nucleotide sequencing of cDNA and genomic clones.
- 5' RACE PCR to analyze RNA transcripts.
- Southern blot analysis for gene copy number.
Main Results:
- Sheep relaxin-like cDNA showed 72% homology to pig relaxin.
- Numerous stop codons were found in the C-peptide region, disrupting the open reading frame.
- Unprocessed precursor RNA was predominant; novel 5' sequences originated from repetitive DNA.
- No exon I sequence encoding the B-chain was identified.
Conclusions:
- The sheep relaxin-like gene contains premature stop codons, rendering it non-functional.
- The gene does not produce a viable sheep relaxin hormone in placental, ovarian, or endometrial tissues.