MATN and LAPTM are parts of larger transcription units produced by intergenic splicing: Intergenic splicing may be a common phenomenon

作者：Maeda Koichi; Horikoshi Taizo; Nakashima Eiji; Miyamoto Yoshinari; Mabuchi Akihiko; Ikegawa Shiro^*

来源：DNA Research, 2005, 12(5): 365-372.

DOI：10.1093/dnares/dsi017

• MATN3
• LAPTM4A
• intergenic splicing
• hybrid mRNA
• fusion protein

Intergenic splicing, the joining of exons from separate genes, has been observed only rarely in mammals. While the matrilin (MATN) and lysosomal-associated protein transmembrane (LAPTM genes comprise distinct gene families, we have demonstrated intergenic splicing between two sets of family genes, the matrilin-3 (MATN3) and lysosomal-associated protein transmembrane 4 alpha (LAPTM4A), and the matrilin-2 (MATN2) and lysosomal-associated protein transmembrane 4)3 (LAPTM4B). The expression pattern and sub-cellular localization of the MATN-LAPTM hybrid transcripts differ from those of the original genes, suggesting unique functions for the products. Our observations indicate that intergenic splicing is a common and well-regulated phenomenon and underscore the fundamental challenges in defining the gene (transcriptional unit). Given these findings, the number of gene in the human genome may be smaller than present estimates suggest.

• 出版日期2005-10-31