The human apolipoprotein(a)/plasminogen gene cluster contains a novel homologue transcribed in liver.
Lipoprotein(a) is an atherogenic lipoprotein whose function and plasma concentration reflect the structure and regulation of the apolipoprotein(a) gene. Apolipoprotein(a) is a close homologue of plasminogen, and their genes are tightly linked on chromosome 6. To further characterize these genes, we analyzed overlapping human genomic yeast artificial chromosome clones, which revealed a cluster of four highly homologous genes encoding apolipoprotein(a), plasminogen, and two apolipoprotein(a)-related genes (rg) or pseudogenes. Hybridization analysis and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction showed that one of these novel genes, designated apolipoprotein(a)rg-C, has a domain structure similar to apolipoprotein(a) and is transcribed in human liver. Three additional homologues designated as plasminogen-related genes are shown to be unlinked to this gene cluster and reside on chromosomes 2 and 4.
Byrne
C D
CD
Falk Cardiovascular Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305.
Schwartz
K
K
Meer
K
K
Cheng
J F
JF
Lawn
R M
RM
D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D018244:Chromosomes, Artificial, Yeast; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D001054:Apolipoproteins A; D010958:Plasminogen