Isolation and sequencing of two alpha-globin genes alpha(A) and alpha(D) in pigeon and evidence for embryo-specific expression of the alpha(D)-globin gene.
By screening a pigeon genomic DNA library, we isolated a recombinant phage clone containing the alpha(A)-globin gene. The DNA sequence of the approximately 6kbp-long insert fragment of the phage clone was determined. The sequence suggested the existence of pigeon alpha(D)-globin gene located 3.1 kbp upstream from the alpha(A)-globin gene. The expression of the alpha(D)-globin in late embryo was also shown by the N-terminal amino-acid sequence of the intact globin chain. These results show that two adult alpha-globin genes, alpha(A) and alpha(D), exist in the pigeon genome, and the alpha(D)-globin is expressed at the late embryo stage. The stage-specific expression suggests the existence of regulatory elements and factors interacting to inhibit transcription at the adult stage.
Ikehara
T
T
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara-Cho, Okinawa, Japan. k940401@med.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
Eguchi
Y
Y
Kayo
S
S
Takei
H
H
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001717:Birds / Q000235:genetics; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D010856:Columbidae / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005914:Globins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D011487:Protein Conformation
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D005914:Globins