Genomic organization of a gene encoding the spicule matrix protein SM30 in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus.
We report the characterization of a genomic clone containing portions of two tandemly arranged genes that encode a spicule matrix protein, SM30, of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. The isolated 18.4-kilo-base genomic clone contains the complete genomic sequence of one SM30 gene, designated SM30-alpha, and a portion of another SM30 gene, designated SM30-beta. Southern blot analysis shows that SM30 protein is encoded by a small gene family of two to four members. RNase protection assays indicate that the SM30-alpha gene is expressed at the time of spicule formation in the sea urchin embryo. In addition, mapping of SM30-alpha shows that a large single intron interrupts the coding sequence. Comparison of the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of the SM30-alpha genomic sequence and the previously isolated SM30 cDNA reveals them to be very similar, but not identical. We also demonstrate that 2.6 kilobases of upstream sequence of SM30-alpha are sufficient to direct primary mesenchyme cell-specific expression of a reporter gene construct.
Akasaka
K
K
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley 94720.
Frudakis
T N
TN
Killian
C E
CE
George
N C
NC
Yamasu
K
K
Khaner
O
O
Wilt
F H
FH
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D005091:Exons; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D012617:Sea Urchins
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D018076:DNA, Complementary; C071119:SM30 protein, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus