Sequence and chromosomal localization of mouse annexin XI

Mouse annexin XI (anx11)2 was cloned from a macrophage cDNA library and characterized by genetic linkage mapping, DNA sequencing, and structural comparison with other annexins. The Anx11 gene localized to mouse chromosome 14 in close linkage with the Rarb, Plau, and Wnt5a genes near the centromere and 1.8 cM distal from the Anx7 gene. The open reading frame was flanked by long, untranslated regions and encoded a 503-amino-acid protein with 93.1% identity to its human orthologue. Its 189-aa amino terminus corresponded to the widely expressed variant 1 of two possible, alternatively spliced forms. A previously described peptide from Aplysia brasiliana was identified as a closely related invertebrate homologue. Since annexin XI is known to be localized in the nucleus at certain stages of development, the identification of a region in tetrad repeats 3 and 4 resembling the "chromo box" domain may be relevant to a nuclear regulatory function of annexin XI. Knowledge of the mouse cDNA sequence and genetic map location will assist in the analysis of genomic organization and expression and provide a useful animal model to investigate gene function and hereditary phenotype for annexin XI.