Genes coding for mouse activin beta C and beta E are closely linked and exhibit a liver-specific expression pattern in adult tissues.
Five activin beta subunits have been isolated to date, and a comparative analysis of amino acid identity has suggested that the activin beta C, beta D and beta E subunits represent a distinct subset. Based on genomic cloning studies, we now report that the mouse activin beta C and beta E genetic loci are closely linked-i.e, the coding sequences are separated by 5.5-kbp. These genes also show similarities in structural organization as well as a unique liver-restricted pattern of expression in adult mice. Our results suggest that tandem duplication of an ancestral gene generated the mouse activin beta C and beta E genetic loci, and they provide further evidence for the postulate that the beta C-beta E subunits form a distinct subset of related activins. To our knowledge, this report is the first to demonstrate close chromosomal linkage between members of the TGF-beta superfamily as well as a liver-restricted expression pattern for a TGF-beta-like gene.
Fang
J
J
Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor 48109-0417, USA.
Wang
S Q
SQ
Smiley
E
E
Bonadio
J
J
D028341:Activins; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005075:Biological Evolution; D015870:Gene Expression; D005796:Genes; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D007265:Inhibins / Q000235:genetics*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D015183:Restriction Mapping
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D028341:Activins; D007265:Inhibins