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Heterogeneity in the third intracytoplasmic region of the oxytocin receptor-encoding gene
S Kaluz1, M Kaluzova, A P Flint
1University of Nottingham, Loughborough, UK. sbzsk@sbn3.nott.AC.UK
Abstract:
The oxytocin receptor (OTR), a member of the seven-transmembrane domain guanine-nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) coupled receptor family plays a central role in lactation, ovarian cyclicity and reproductive behaviour. Recent cloning and sequencing unexpectedly revealed that the third intracytoplasmic region (3ICR) of the sheep receptor has 3 and 2 additional amino acids (aa) relative to the rat and human receptors, respectively. We have now confirmed, by sequencing polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-derived genomic fragments coding for the OTR 3ICR from a variety of ruminant and non-ruminant species, that additional aa are a general phenomenon in ruminants.