Structure of the human alpha 1-microglobulin-bikunin gene

Biol Chem Hoppe Seyler. 1990 Dec;371(12):1185-96. doi: 10.1515/bchm3.1990.371.2.1185.

Abstract

Alpha 1-Microglobulin (protein HC) and bikunin (formerly HI-30, urinary trypsin inhibitor, inhibitor subunit of inter-alpha-(trypsin) inhibitor) are abundant serum glycoproteins. They belong to two distinct protein families, the lipocalin family, a family of transport proteins for small hydrophobic molecules and the Kunitz-family of proteinase inhibitors. Mature alpha 1-microglobulin and bikunin result from a common precursor. Now we have isolated and sequenced the human gene coding for this precursor protein. The gene consists of 10 exons which span 1.3 kb and 9 introns with an aggregate length of about 16.5 kb. The largest intron (6.5 kb) separates exon 6 (coding for the C-terminal sequence of alpha 1-microglobulin) from exon 7 (coding for a linker peptide and the N-terminal peptide of bikunin). Repetitive DNA sequences of the Alu-type occur downstream of the polyadenylation site, within introns 4 and 6, and upstream of the putative promoter region which has been defined by sequence comparison and transcription start site determination. The gene also contains several sequence motifs reminiscent to known enhancer sequences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alpha-Globulins / genetics*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Southern
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Genes*
  • Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Glycoproteins*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Restriction Mapping
  • Trypsin Inhibitor, Kunitz Soybean*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Alpha-Globulins
  • Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • SPINT2 protein, human
  • alpha-1-microglobulin
  • Trypsin Inhibitor, Kunitz Soybean

Associated data

  • GENBANK/X54816
  • GENBANK/X54817
  • GENBANK/X54818