Structure and diversity of the murine cryptdin gene family

Genomics. 1994 Feb;19(3):448-53. doi: 10.1006/geno.1994.1093.

Abstract

Cryptdins are antimicrobial peptides of the defensin family produced by mouse intestinal Paneth cells. Characterization of genomic and cDNA clones of cryptdins 1-3, 5, and 6 revealed that each of these genes has a two-exon structure. The prepro- and mature peptide coding regions are found on different exons separated by an intron of approximately 550 bp. The 5' ends of cryptdin mRNAs are distinguished by a 45-nucleotide untranslated sequence (UTS) encoded completely by the first exon. This feature contrasts with the extended 5' UTS of myeloid defensin mRNAs, which are coded by a third exon that appears to be unique to defensin genes expressed in hematopoietic cells. Sequencing of cryptdin cDNAs from both C3H/HeJ and 129/SVJ mouse small intestine demonstrated the presence of at least 16 different mRNAs, identifying cryptdins as the largest known defensin family. Amplification of these two-exon crypt defensin genes, followed by mutation-induced divergence at a limited number of positions, may have played an important role in the development of a broad-spectrum enteric defense system in the mouse.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Blood Proteins / genetics
  • Codon
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Defensins
  • Exons*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genes*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Intestine, Small / cytology
  • Intestine, Small / metabolism
  • Mice / genetics*
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multigene Family*
  • Organ Specificity
  • Protein Precursors / classification
  • Protein Precursors / genetics*
  • Proteins / classification
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid

Substances

  • Blood Proteins
  • Codon
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Defensins
  • Protein Precursors
  • Proteins
  • cryptdin

Associated data

  • GENBANK/U02994
  • GENBANK/U02995
  • GENBANK/U02996
  • GENBANK/U02997
  • GENBANK/U02998
  • GENBANK/U02999
  • GENBANK/U03000
  • GENBANK/U03001
  • GENBANK/U03002
  • GENBANK/U03003
  • GENBANK/U03004
  • GENBANK/U03005
  • GENBANK/U03028
  • GENBANK/U03030
  • GENBANK/U03032
  • GENBANK/U03033
  • GENBANK/U03034
  • GENBANK/U03035
  • GENBANK/U03036
  • GENBANK/U03037
  • GENBANK/U03061
  • GENBANK/U03062
  • GENBANK/U03063
  • GENBANK/U03064
  • GENBANK/U03065
  • GENBANK/U03066
  • GENBANK/U12559
  • GENBANK/U12560
  • GENBANK/U12561
  • GENBANK/U12562