Expression of the human amylase genes: Recent origin of a salivary amylase promoter from an actin pseudogene

Journal Article · Mon Sep 12 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Nucleic Acids Research; (UK)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/16.17.8261· OSTI ID:6810740

Samuelson, L C; Gumucio, D L; Meisler, M H ^[1]; Wiebauer, K ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor (USA)
2. Friedrich Miescher Institut, Basel (Switzerland)

The human genes encoding salivary amylase (AMY1) and pancreatic amylase (AMY2) are nearly identical in structure and sequence. The authors have used ribonuclease protection studies to identify the functional gene copies in this multigene family. Riboprobes derived from each gene were hybridized to RNA from human pancreas, parotid and liver. The sizes of the protected fragments demonstrated that both pancreatic genes are expressed in pancreas. One of the pancreatic genes, AMY2B, is also transcribed at a low level in liver, but not from the promoter used in pancreas. AMY1 transcripts were detected in parotid, but not in pancreas or liver. Unexpected fragments protected by liver RNA led to the discovery that the 5{prime} regions of the five human amylase genes contain a processed {gamma}-actin pseudogene. The promoter and start site for transcription of AMY1 are recently derived from the 3{prime} untranslated region of {gamma}-actin. In addition, insertion of an endogenous retrovirus has interrupted the {gamma}-actin pseudogene in four of the five amylase genes.

• OSTI ID: 6810740
• Journal Information: Nucleic Acids Research; (UK), Journal Name: Nucleic Acids Research; (UK) Vol. 16:17; ISSN 0305-1048; ISSN NARHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550200* -- Biochemistry
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AMYLASE
BODY
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DNA HYBRIDIZATION
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
ENZYMES
GENE REGULATION
GENE REPRESSORS
GENES
GLANDS
GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
HYBRIDIZATION
HYDROLASES
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
NUCLEOPROTEINS
O-GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PANCREAS
PROTEINS
SALIVARY GLANDS
TRANSCRIPTION