Structure and sequence analysis of the human activin β_A subunit gene

Abstract

The cloned genomic DNA containing the human activin β_A subunit gene were analyzed by restriction endonuclease mapping, Southern blotting and DNA sequencing. The activin gene is composed of two exons interrupted by the 9-kb intron. The TATA, CCAAT and CT-stretch sequences were found in the 5′-flanking region of the gene. An intronic sequence contained SV40 enhancer core element in the vicinity of the exon 1. In the 3′-flanking region, we identified eight consensus polyadenylation sequences, five ATTTA motifs, CA element consisting of (CA)₁₄, AP-1 binding site and two SV40 enhancer core elements. A dot matrix analysis revealed the high degree of conservation between the human and rat sequences within the 3′-flanking region, suggesting a possible functional significance.

Key Words:

• activin
• AP-1
• inhibin
• SV40 enhancer
• TGF-β