Cloning of a new "finger" protein gene (ZNF173) within the class I region of the human MHC.
The human major histocompatability complex contains genes of both immune and nonimmune importance. Recently, several genes encoding novel, non-HLA products have been described in this area. We have performed positional cloning of short fragment cDNA sequences from the class I region of the human MHC using a hybridization selection approach. This report describes isolation of full-length cDNA clones and partial genomic clones that encode a protein that contains two domains rich in cysteine and histidine similar to those characteristic of metal-dependent DNA binding proteins (C3HC4). The predicted protein also contains a domain thought to form a coiled-coil that may promote dimerization. A third feature is a polyglutamic acid region near the carboxyl terminus of the conceptual protein. Because of these properties, we have named this gene product acid finger protein (AFP). Although the biological role of AFP is unknown at present, one potential function is binding of nucleic acids. The gene (ZNF173) is expressed in multiple tissues and is conserved among mammals. In particular, the mouse and human coding regions are highly conserved. In addition to AFP, other related sequences have been localized to the MHC, suggesting that multiple AFP-like genes exist in this area.
Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8064, USA.
T W
TW
Chu
A
A
Capossela
R
R
Coleman
V L
VL
Goei
G
G
Nallur
J R
JR
Gruen
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D016384:Consensus Sequence; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D015723:Gene Library; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I; D015186:Hominidae / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D016335:Zinc Fingers; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins
C097353:AFP protein, human; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins