Multiple gene duplication and expression of mouse bcl-2-related genes, A1.

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.

Here we report the genomic cloning and characterization of the murine A1 genes, which belong to the bcl-2 gene family. Southern analysis indicated the existence of at least four A1 genes in the murine genome and four different A1 genes, designated A1-a, -b, -c and -d, were cloned from the murine genomic library. The A1-a, -b and -d genes consisted of two exons, whereas the A1-c gene contained 1 bp insertion in the coding region which may result in an aberrant and truncated protein by frame-shift. With the exception of A1-c, the coding regions among A1 genes are highly conserved at >97% at the nucleotide level and at >96% at the amino acid level. A1-a, -b and -d genes appeared to be expressed specifically in organs containing many neutrophils. In neutrophils, A1-a, -b and -d transcripts were detected at a comparable level. Our data suggest that the multiple A1 genes in mice were generated by gene duplication and each of them may function as anti-apoptotic molecules in neutrophils.

PMID: 9645611 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]