A group of type I keratin genes on human chromosome 17: Characterization and expression

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Mol. Cell. Biol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1128/MCB.8.2.722· OSTI ID:5111676

Rosenberg, M; Chaudhury, A R; Shows, T B; LeBeau, M M; Fuchs, E

The human type I keratins K16 and K14 are coexpressed in a number of epithelial tissues, including esophagus, tongue, and hair follicles. The authors determined that two genes encoding K16 and three genes encoding K14 were clustered in two distinct segments of chromosome 17. The genes within each cluster were tightly linked, and large parts of the genome containing these genes have been recently duplicated. The sequences of the two K16 genes showed striking homology not only within the coding sequences, but also within the intron positions and sequences and extending at least 400 base pairs 5' upstream and 850 base pairs 3' downstream from these genes. Despite the strong homologies between these two genes, only one of the genes encoded a protein which assembled into keratin filaments when introduced into simple epithelial cells. While there were no obvious abnormalities in the sequence of the other gene, its promoter seemed to be significantly weaker, and even a hybrid gene with the other gene's promoter gave rise to a much reduced mRNA level after gene transfection. To demonstrate that the functional K16 gene that they identified was in fact responsible for the K16 expressed in human tissues, we made a polyclonal antiserum which recognized our functional K16 gene product in both denatured and filamentous form and which was specific for bona fide human K16.

• Research Organization: Departments of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Univ. of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637 (US)
• OSTI ID: 5111676
• Journal Information: Mol. Cell. Biol.; (United States), Journal Name: Mol. Cell. Biol.; (United States) Vol. 8:2; ISSN MCEBD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550400* -- Genetics
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
BODY
CHROMOSOMES
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
EPITHELIUM
ESOPHAGUS
GENE OPERONS
GENES
GENETIC MAPPING
HYBRIDIZATION
KERATIN
MAMMALS
MAN
MAPPING
MESSENGER-RNA
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORAL CAVITY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PHENOTYPE
PRIMATES
PROTEINS
RNA
SCLEROPROTEINS
TISSUES
TONGUE
VERTEBRATES