title: The human TAX1 gene encoding the axon-associated cell adhesion molecule TAG-1/axonin-1: genomic structure and basic promoter.
abstract: The human TAX-1 gene (HGMW-approved symbol TAX1) is located on chromosome 1 (1q32.1) and encodes the neuronal cell adhesion molecule TAG-1/axonin-1. The gene product, termed TAG-1 in the rat and axonin-1 in the chicken, is composed of six immunoglobulin (Ig)-like and four fibronectin type III (FNIII)-like domains. It is found predominantly on the axons of particular nerve fiber tracts during neural development, and it has been demonstrated to function as a potent substratum for neurite outgrowth in vitro. Here we report the cloning and structural characterization of the TAX-1 gene. The transcribed region of the TAX-1 gene extends over about 40 kb. Like its chicken homologue, the human TAX-1 gene consists of 23 exons. Two GT/CA microsatellites were localized in the first intron; a polymorphism was found for one of them. Reporter gene analysis with serially truncated fragments of the 5'-flanking region indicated that a 164-bp fragment located immediately upstream of the putative transcription initiation site was sufficient to function as a basal promoter.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Kozlov
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Giger
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hasler
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Korvatska
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Schorderet
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sonderegger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000235:genetics*; D002645:Chickens; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D058969:Contactin 2; D005091:Exons; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
chemical_list: C548674:CNTN2 protein, human; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; C548676:Cntn2 protein, rat; D058969:Contactin 2