Human group-specific component (Gc) is a member of the albumin family.
The group-specific component (Gc) is the major vitamin D-binding protein in plasma. The gene encoding Gc is linked, on human chromosome 4, to the albumin and alpha-fetoprotein genes. These two genes previously were shown to have evolved from a smaller ancestral gene by intragenic triplication. Recombinant plasmids containing human cDNA encoding Gc have been isolated by screening an adult human liver library with a mixed oligonucleotide probe. Characterization of Gc cDNA has provided the complete amino acid sequence of the protein and revealed strong sequence homology with albumin and alpha-fetoprotein. Of particular interest is a conserved pattern of disulfide bridges that form the triple-domain structures in albumin, alpha-fetoprotein, and Gc. Gc cDNA was used as a probe in Southern blot analysis of somatic-cell hybrids to confirm that the Gc locus is on chromosome 4.
Yang
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Brune
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Naylor
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Cupples
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Naberhaus
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Bowman
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D000418:Albumins / Q000235:genetics; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D002905:Chromosomes, Human, 4-5; D003545:Cysteine; D006801:Humans; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D014809:Vitamin D-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000235:genetics
D000418:Albumins; D014809:Vitamin D-Binding Protein; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D003545:Cysteine