A Human Putative Lymphocyte G0/G1Switch Gene Containing a CpG-Rich Island Encodes a Small Basic Protein with the Potential to Be Phosphorylated

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Abstract
Genes actively involved in the G0/G1 switch (G0S genes) may be differentially expressed during the lectin-induced switch of lymphocytes from the G0 to the G1 phases of the cell cycle. This paper presents studies of G0S2, a member of a set of putative G0S genes, for which cDNAs were cloned and selected on the basis of differential cDNA hybridization. G0S2 mRNA increases transiently within 1–2 hr of the addition of lectin or cycloheximide to cultured blood mononuclear cells. Comparison of a nearly full-length cDNA sequence with the corresponding genomic sequence reveals one small intron and an open reading frame in the second exon. The derived 103-amino-acid basic protein has two potential α-helical domains separated by a hydrophobic region with the potential to generate turns and assume a β-sheet conformation. Consistent with involvement in the G0/G1 switch, the protein contains potential sites for phosphorylation by protein kinase C and casein kinase II. The gene contains a CpG-rich island suggesting expression in the germ line. An upstream segment contains tandem dinucleotide repeats (CT)19/(CA)16. There is a suitably located TATA box, but potential sites for CCAAT-box binding factors are far upstream, embedded in a 42-nucleotide repeat element. Potential sites for transcription factors AP1, AP2, and AP3 are consistent with rapid transcriptional activation in response to inducing agents.