NR AKHI
AU Saeki,K.; Matsumoto,Y.; Hirota,Y.; Matsumoto,Y.; Onodera,T.
TI Three-exon structure of the gene encoding the rat prion protein and its expression in tissues
QU Virus Genes 1996; 12(1): 15-20
PT journal article
AB The prion protein (PrP), encoded by a chromosomal gene, is associated with development of the neurodegeneration of prion-induced diseases. Since determination of the complete structure of the gene encoding PrP is important for understanding gene expression in the central nervous system (CNS), the nucleotide (nt) sequence of the isolated whole gene encoding rat PrP (raPrP) was determined. The rat PrP gene (raPrP) spans 16 kilobases (kb) of the rat genome and contains three exons of 19-47 base pairs (bp), 98 bp, and 2 kb separated by two introns of 2.2 kb and 11 kb. The first and second exons are noncoding, while the third exon contains a short 5' untranslated region, the entire 762-bp open reading frame (ORF), and a 3' untranslated region. The putative raPrP promoter in the 5' flanking region contains putative Sp1, AP-1, and AP-2 binding sites without a consensus TATA box. This TATA box-deficient feature, coupled with the presence of a high G+C content and Sp1-binding sites in the raPrP promoter, characterizes it as a housekeeping gene. Analysis of the raPrP cDNA 5'-end showed that raPrP mRNA transcription was initiated at multiple sites. Northern blot analysis showed that the levels of raPrP mRNA varied among rat tissues, with the highest levels found in the brain and placenta. This determination of raPrP nt sequences, including the introns and the 5' and 3' flanking regions, may make it possible to elucidate cis-acting elements that regulate the expression of this gene in different tissues and cell lines.
IN Das Prionproteingen der Ratte ist 16 kb lang und besitzt 3 19-47 bp, 98 bp, bzw. 2 kb Exons, getrennt durch 2,2 kb bzw. 11 kb lange Introns. Nur das große dritte Exon trägt die 762 bp lange kodierende Sequenz. Die Promoter-Sequenz enthält mögliche Spl, AP-1 und AP-2 Bindungsstellen, jedoch keine TATA-Box. Dies und der hohe GC-Gehalt sprenichen dafür, dass das Prionprotein ein Haushaltsprotein ist. Die Transkription des Prionproteingens beginnt an verschiedenen Stellen und die höchsten mRNA-Gehalte wurden in Gehirn und Plazenta gefunden.
ZR 24
MH Amino Acid Sequence; Animal; Base Sequence; Blotting, Northern; Cloning, Molecular; Exons/*genetics; Molecular Sequence Data; Prions/*genetics/metabolism; Rats; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Transcription, Genetic
AD Department of Molecular Immunology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo, Japan.
SP englisch
PO USA
OR Prion-Krankheiten 7