The complete nuleotide sequence and structure of the gene encoding bovine phenylethanolamine N‐methyltransferase

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A cDNA clone for bovine adrenal phenylethanolamine N‐methyltransferase (PNMT) was used to screen a Charon 28 genomic library. One phage was identified, designated λP1, which included the entire PNMT gene. Construction of a restriction map, with subsequent Southern bloty analysis, allowed the identification of exon‐containing fragments. Dideoxy sequence analysis of these fragments, and several more further upstream, indicates that the bovine PNMT gene is 1,594 base pairs in length, consisting of three exons and two introns. The transcription initiation site was identified by two independent methods and is located iapproximately 12 base pirs upstream ffrom the ATG translation start site. The 3′ untranslted region is 88 base pairs in length and contains the expected poly‐adenylation signal (AATAAA). A putative promoter sequence (TATA box) is located about 25 base pairs upstream from the transcription initiation site. Computer comparison of the nucleotide sequence data with the consensus sequences of known regulatory elements revealed potential binding sites for glucocorticoid receptors and the Sp1 regulatory protein in the 5′ flanking region of the gene. Additionally, comparison of the sequence of the exons of the PNMT gene with cDNA sequences for other enzymes involved in biogenic amine synthesis revealed no significant homology, indicating that PNMT is not a member of a multigene family of catecholamine biosnthetic enzymes.