The mouse YAF2 gene generates two distinct transcripts and is expressed in pre-and postimplantation embryos

Gene. 2003 Oct 2:315:183-92. doi: 10.1016/s0378-1119(03)00800-x.

Abstract

Mammalian Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are known to function during the maintenance of spatially restricted expression of Hox cluster genes and cellular proliferation. To understand the molecular basis of PcG functions, it is important to identify the components of mammalian PcG complexes. We isolated mouse YAF2 as a protein that interacts with Ring1B, a known constituent of mammalian PcG complexes. We show that the murine YAF2 locus generates two different transcripts, mYAF2-a and mYAF2-b by alternative splicing of the third exons which encode two YAF2 isoforms of 179 and conceptual 60 amino acids, respectively. At least five exons encoding mYAF2 transcripts are mapped on chromosome 15E3 region. Expression of mYAF2 mRNA was observed in both pre- and postimplantation embryos. In mid-gestation embryos, mYAF2 expression is strongly seen in the region close to the surface ectoderm. Finally, biochemical evidence and colocalization studies in tissue culture cells suggest that the product of the mYAF2 gene is involved in PcG complexes together with Ring1B and/or Ring1A.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / isolation & purification
  • DNA, Complementary / chemistry
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • DNA, Complementary / isolation & purification
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism*
  • Embryonic Development / genetics
  • Exons
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Humans
  • Introns
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Muscle Proteins*
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 1
  • Pregnancy
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
  • Time Factors
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • YAF2 protein, human
  • Yaf2 protein, mouse
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • DNA
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 1
  • RING1 protein, human
  • Ring1 protein, mouse
  • Rnf2 protein, mouse
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases