Characterization of the Mouse PDGF A-Chain Gene. Evolutionary Conservation of Gene Structure, Nucleotide Sequence and Alternative Splicing

Abstract

The mouse platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) A-chain gene has been structurally characterized and compared with its human counterpart. The organization of the two genes is similar. Both consist of 7 exons spaced by 6 introns of corresponding sizes. As in the human gene, exon 6 encodes a sequence which is alternatively spliced. When present, it codes for an alternative C-terminus of the A-chain. In intron 5, conserved stretches of nucleotides, potentially involved in the regulation of the alternative splicing, are identified. The untranslated sequences show a high degree of nucleotide sequence identity and several conserved consensus binding sites for transcription factors are identified within the 5′ untranslated as well as in the 5′ flanking region.

Key Words:

• platelet-derived growth factor
• gene structure
• alternative splicing