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Here we report the genomic cloning and characterization of the murine A1 genes, which belong to the bcl-2 gene family. Southern analysis indicated the existence of at least four A1 genes in the murine genome and four different A1 genes, designated A1-a, -b, -c and -d, were cloned from the murine genomic library. The A1-a, -b and -d genes consisted of two exons, whereas the A1-c gene contained 1 bp insertion in the coding region which may result in an aberrant and truncated protein by frame-shift. With the exception of A1-c, the coding regions among A1 genes are highly conserved at >97% at the nucleotide level and at >96% at the amino acid level. A1-a, -b and -d genes appeared to be expressed specifically in organs containing many neutrophils. In neutrophils, A1-a, -b and -d transcripts were detected at a comparable level. Our data suggest that the multiple A1 genes in mice were generated by gene duplication and each of them may function as anti-apoptotic molecules in neutrophils.
Keywords:apoptosis, gene cloning, neutrophil