Structure of the genes for porcine endometrial secreted and membrane folate binding proteins

Domest Anim Endocrinol. 2001 Jul;21(1):55-72. doi: 10.1016/s0739-7240(01)00100-x.

Abstract

The endometrium of the pig produces two types of folate binding proteins (FBP) which, based on their sequences, are likely to be membrane (m) and secreted (s) forms. A clone containing both a gene coding for the sFBP cDNA and a gene coding for the mFBP was isolated from a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) library. Each gene was subcloned and sequenced. The gene for sFBP spanned 4.4 kbp and included 5 exons. The mFBP gene spanned 7.0 kbp and also contained 5 exons. Structures of the genes were very similar for the last three exons, and this similarity was shared with other known FBP/folate receptor (FR) gene sequences. Unexpectedly, portions of introns 3 and 4 of both genes were highly homologous, suggesting the possibility that sequences within these introns served some as yet unknown function. In contrast, the structures of the 5' exons differed between the two genes and other known FBP/FR genes. Comparison of putative promoter regions for the two genes with promoter regions for human FBP/FR genes revealed significant sequence homology between sFBP and human gammaFBP and between mFBP and human alphaFR. These regions of homology may play a role in control of transcription of each gene.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Carrier Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Chromosomes, Artificial, Yeast / chemistry
  • Chromosomes, Artificial, Yeast / genetics
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / isolation & purification
  • Endometrium / metabolism
  • Endometrium / physiology*
  • Female
  • Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored
  • Gene Library
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Receptors, Cell Surface*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
  • Swine / genetics*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • DNA