Analysis of the very large G-protein coupled receptor gene (Vlgr1/Mass1/USH2C) in zebrafish.
Very Large G-protein coupled Receptor-1 (VLGR1/Mass1/USH2C) is the largest known cell surface protein in vertebrates. Mutations in VLGR1 are associated with audiogenic epilepsy in mice and Usher syndrome (sensorineural deafness and retinitis pigmentosa) in humans. We characterized the zebrafish VLGR1 gene (vlgr1). It is 51% identical to human VLGR1 in amino acid sequence, but is 64% identical in the 7-transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. It is 6199 amino acids in size and is encoded by a 19.2 kb mRNA. All introns correspond in location and phase to those of the human and mouse genes. In situ hybridization studies of zebrafish embryos demonstrate vlgr1 expression in the developing central nervous system, particularly in the hypothalamus, epiphysis and in the rhombic lips. Expression in the eye is associated with the optic nerve. Further studies using zebrafish may help ascertain the role of Vlgr1 in neural development.
Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.
Yann
Y
Gibert
D Randy
DR
McMillan
Kathleen
K
Kayes-Wandover
Axel
A
Meyer
Gerrit
G
Begemann
Perrin C
PC
White
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018075:RNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics*; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology
D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D018075:RNA, Complementary; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled