International Mammalian Genome Society

The 15th International Mouse Genome Conference (2001)

Table of Contents * Complex Genetics * Developmental Genetics * Gene Annotation * Gene Discovery * Genome Sequencing * Functional Genomics * Mutagenesis * Presentations * Verne Chapman Memorial Lecture

Dr. Kong-Bung Choo
Department of Medical Research and Education
Veterans General Hospital-Taipei
Shih Pai, Taipei
11217
Taiwan

Co-Authors:  Chen HH, and Huang CJ
Institution:  Veterans General Hospital - Taipei

Genomic structure and transcription mode of two intronless ring finger protein genes in early mouse embryos

In this report, we describe two mouse early genes, 2czf45 and 2czf61, that are intronless in the ORF and the 3' UTR. The genes, however, carry a single large intron in the 5' UTR, with 2czf61 lying upstream and within the intron of the 2czf45 gene. The genes code for RING finger proteins and are new members of the RBCC-SPRY gene family. The gene pair is mapped in chromosomal region 8B3.1-3.2. The 2czf45 and 2czf61 genes are transcribed temporally in early embryonic stages up to the 8- to 16-cell stage, and transcripts are not detected in adult organs. The 2czf61 and the 2czf45 transcripts are products of alternative splicing in the 5' UTR, sharing the same short leader exon sequence. In 2czf61, however, a second splicing event within the 2czf61 ORF sequence using a non-standard (GT-AG) splice junction has resulted in a truncated transcript, designated 2czf61-S, that is detectable only in 2-cell embryos. The mechanism giving rise to the solo intron in the 5' UTR and the role of this intron in the regulation of expression of these early embryonic genes are intriguing subjects to be elucidated.