Structure and evolution of the mouse pregnancy-specific glycoprotein (Psg) gene locus

Episode von Medizin - Open Access LMU - Teil 14/22 von Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München · 1. Januar 2005

Background: The pregnancy-specific glycoprotein (Psg) genes encode proteins of unknown function, and are members of the carcinoembryonic antigen (Cea) gene family, which is a member of the immunoglobulin gene (Ig) superfamily. In rodents and primates, but not in artiodactyls (even-toed ungulates/hoofed mammals), there have been independent expansions of the Psg gene family, with all members expressed exclusively in placental trophoblast cells. For the mouse Psg genes, we sought to determine the genomic organisation of the locus, the expression profiles of the various family members, and the evolution of exon structure, to attempt to reconstruct the evolutionary history of this locus, and to determine whether expansion of the gene family has been driven by selection for increased gene dosage, or diversification of function. Results: We collated the mouse Psg gene sequences currently in the public genome and expressed-sequence tag (EST) databases and used systematic BLAST searches to generate complete sequences for all known mouse Psg genes. We identified a novel family member, Psg31, which is similar to Psg30 but, uniquely amongst mouse Psg genes, has a duplicated N1 domain. We also identified a novel splice variant of Psg16 (bCEA). We show that Psg24 and Psg30/Psg31 have independently undergone expansion of N-domain number. By mapping BAC, YAC and cosmid clones we described two clusters of Psg genes, which we linked and oriented using fluorescent in situ hybridisation ( FISH). Comparison of our Psg locus map with the public mouse genome database indicates good agreement in overall structure and further elucidates gene order. Expression levels of Psg genes in placentas of different developmental stages revealed dramatic differences in the developmental expression profile of individual family members. Conclusion: We have combined existing information, and provide new information concerning the evolution of mouse Psg exon organization, the mouse Psg genomic locus structure, and the expression patterns of individual Psg genes. This information will facilitate functional studies of this complex gene family.

Weitere Episoden von „Medizin - Open Access LMU - Teil 14/22“

• A role for MCP-1/CCR2 in interstitial lung disease in children 1. Januar 2005
• A simple approach for protein name identification: prospects and limits 1. Januar 2005
• An extrahippocampal projection from the dentate gyrus to the olfactory tubercle 1. Januar 2005
• Association between cognitive performance and cortical glucose metabolism in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease 1. Januar 2005
• Chemokine receptor CCR1: A new target for progressive kidney disease 1. Januar 2005
• Comparing the clinical effectiveness of different new-born hearing screening strategies. A decision analysis 1. Januar 2005
• Concerted upregulation of CLP36 and smooth muscle actin protein expression in human endometrium during decidualization 1. Januar 2005
• Effect of stress doses of hydrocortisone on S-100B vs. interleukin-8 and polymorphonuclear elastase levels in human septic shock 1. Januar 2005
• Expression profiles of hydrophobic surfactant proteins in children with diffuse chronic lung disease 1. Januar 2005
• Fluorescence in situ hybridization to chromosomes as a tool to understand human and primate genome evolution 1. Januar 2005
• Follow-up investigations of tau protein and S-100B levels in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease 1. Januar 2005
• Gene expression profile and synovial microcirculation at early stages of collagen-induced arthritis 1. Januar 2005
• Genetic association of CDC2 with cerebrospinal fluid tau in Alzheimer's disease 1. Januar 2005
• Hahnemann's legacy in a new light - A systematic approach to the Organon of Medicine 1. Januar 2005
• 3D Analysis of chromosome architecture: advantages and limitations with SEM 1. Januar 2005

Alle Episoden von Medizin - Open Access LMU - Teil 14/22 · Mehr Bildung-Podcasts