ABSTRACT
The correct identification of all human genes, and their derived transcripts, has not yet been achieved, and it remains one of the major aims of the worldwide genomics community. Computational programs suggest the existence of 30,000 to 40,000 human genes. However, definitive gene identification can only be achieved by experimental approaches. We used two distinct methodologies, one based on the alignment of mouse orthologous sequences to the human genome, and another based on the construction of a high-quality human testis cDNA library, in an attempt to identify new human transcripts within the human genome sequence. We generated 47 complete human transcript sequences, comprising 27 unannotated and 20 annotated sequences. Eight of these transcripts are variants of previously known genes. These transcripts were characterized according to size, number of exons, and chromosomal localization, and a search for protein domains was undertaken based on their putative open reading frames. In silico expression analysis suggests that some of these transcripts are expressed at low levels and in a restricted set of tissues.
Subject(s)
DNA, Complementary/genetics , Genome, Human , Sequence Analysis, DNA/methods , Testis/chemistry , Transcription, Genetic/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Chromosome Mapping , Gene Library , Humans , Male , Mice , Molecular Sequence DataABSTRACT
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in a large variety of physiological functions. The number of known members that belong to this large family of receptors has been rapidly increasing. Now, with the availability of the human genome sequence databases, further family members are being identified. We describe the identification of a novel GPCR that shows no significant amino acid identity to any one of the known members of the GPCR superfamily. The gene expression pattern of this receptor is restricted: in normal tissues it is confined to the nervous system and testis, but we also detected gene expression in several tumor types, most notably prostate cancer, suggesting a potential role for this gene as a marker for this disease.
Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics , Neoplasm Proteins/genetics , Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Humans , Male , Molecular Sequence Data , Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism , Phylogeny , Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in a large variety of physiological functions. The number of known members that belong to this large family of receptors has been rapidly increasing. Now, with the availability of the human genome sequence databases, further family members are being identified. We describe the identification of a novel GPCR that shows no significant amino acid identity to any one of the known members of the GPCR superfamily. The gene expression pattern of this receptor is restricted: in normal tissues it is confined to the nervous system and testis, but we also detected gene expression in several tumor types, most notably prostate cancer, suggesting a potential role for this gene as a marker for this disease.