Biomaterial Database

Clustered arrangement of keratin intermediate filament genes. 1986

B C Powell, and G R Cam, and M J Fietz, and G E Rogers

We report here that component members of the keratin intermediate filament (IF) type I and type II gene families of sheep are closely linked but apparently the two families are not. Nine genes, accounting for up to half of the keratin IF gene repertoire, were mapped in four cosmid clones and the linkage between the genes ranged from several kilobases to 20 kilobases. In one cosmid, three tandem type I genes had the same transcriptional arrangement and were regularly spaced. In another cosmid, tandem genes encoding type II keratins were identified and, surprisingly, a solitary exon was discovered in the intergene region between the two type II genes. In a normal gene this exon encodes one of the most conserved amino acid regions of IF proteins, the C-terminal end of the alpha-helical core. Homologous C-terminal protein subdomains were encoded by two wool keratin type II genes and we suggest that this arrangement may also exist in the other wool keratin type II genes.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007633	Keratins	A class of fibrous proteins or scleroproteins that represents the principal constituent of EPIDERMIS; HAIR; NAILS; horny tissues, and the organic matrix of tooth ENAMEL. Two major conformational groups have been characterized, alpha-keratin, whose peptide backbone forms a coiled-coil alpha helical structure consisting of TYPE I KERATIN and a TYPE II KERATIN, and beta-keratin, whose backbone forms a zigzag or pleated sheet structure. alpha-Keratins have been classified into at least 20 subtypes. In addition multiple isoforms of subtypes have been found which may be due to GENE DUPLICATION.	Cytokeratin,Keratin Associated Protein,Keratin,Keratin-Associated Proteins,alpha-Keratin,Associated Protein, Keratin,Keratin Associated Proteins,Protein, Keratin Associated,alpha Keratin
D003360	Cosmids	Plasmids containing at least one cos (cohesive-end site) of PHAGE LAMBDA. They are used as cloning vehicles.	Cosmid
D004274	DNA, Recombinant	Biologically active DNA which has been formed by the in vitro joining of segments of DNA from different sources. It includes the recombination joint or edge of a heteroduplex region where two recombining DNA molecules are connected.	Genes, Spliced,Recombinant DNA,Spliced Gene,Recombinant DNA Research,Recombination Joint,DNA Research, Recombinant,Gene, Spliced,Joint, Recombination,Research, Recombinant DNA,Spliced Genes
D005796	Genes	A category of nucleic acid sequences that function as units of heredity and which code for the basic instructions for the development, reproduction, and maintenance of organisms.	Cistron,Gene,Genetic Materials,Cistrons,Genetic Material,Material, Genetic,Materials, Genetic
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001483	Base Sequence	The sequence of PURINES and PYRIMIDINES in nucleic acids and polynucleotides. It is also called nucleotide sequence.	DNA Sequence,Nucleotide Sequence,RNA Sequence,DNA Sequences,Base Sequences,Nucleotide Sequences,RNA Sequences,Sequence, Base,Sequence, DNA,Sequence, Nucleotide,Sequence, RNA,Sequences, Base,Sequences, DNA,Sequences, Nucleotide,Sequences, RNA
D012756	Sheep	Any of the ruminant mammals with curved horns in the genus Ovis, family Bovidae. They possess lachrymal grooves and interdigital glands, which are absent in GOATS.	Ovis,Sheep, Dall,Dall Sheep,Ovis dalli
D012867	Skin	The outer covering of the body that protects it from the environment. It is composed of the DERMIS and the EPIDERMIS.
D014935	Wool	The hair of SHEEP or other animals that is used for weaving or felting.