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Structure of the human plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 gene: nonrandom distribution of introns

Journal Article · · Biochemistry; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/bi00387a004· OSTI ID:5998161

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) is the primary inhibitor of tissue-type plasminogen activator and thus performs an essential role in the regulation of the fibrinolytic process. It is a member of a large family of serine protease inhibitors (serpins). The authors determined the structure of the PAI-1 gene in order to more completely investigate the relationship of PAI-1 to other serpins and, at the same time, to begin to delineate structure-function relations in PAI-1 itself. A human genomic cosmid DNA library was screened and found to contain two independent clones, each harboring the entire PAI-1 gene. Restriction site mapping, electron microscopic inspection of heteroduplexes, and nucleotide sequence analysis all demonstrate that the PAI-1 gene is approximately 12.2 kilobase pairs in length and consists of nine exons and eight introns. All intron-exon boundaries are in accord with the GT-AG rule, including a cryptic acceptor splice site found in intron 7. The intron-exon pattern of the PAI-1 gene is distinct from that of most other serpins except that intron 3 of PAI-1 occupies an identical position as intron E of ovalbumin. Comparison of the authors data with the proposed subdomain structure of serpins suggests that seven of the eight introns may occupy a nonrandom position in the gene. These introns either delineate boundaries of individual structural subdomains or are located in random coil regions of the protein. Transcription of the PAI-1 gene in cultured vascular endothelial cells results in two distinct mRNA species. The data suggest that these two transcripts arise by alternative polyadenylation.

Research Organization:
Free Univ. of Amsterdam, Netherlands
OSTI ID:
5998161
Journal Information:
Biochemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Biochemistry; (United States) Vol. 26:13; ISSN BICHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English