GENOMIC ORGANIZATION OF THE MOUSE FIBROBLAST-GROWTH-FACTOR-RECEPTOR-3(FGFR3) GENE

The fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (Fgfr3) protein is a tyrosine kinase receptor involved in the signal transduction of various fibrobl ast growth factors. Recent studies suggest its important role in norma l development. In humans, mutation in Fgfr3 is responsible for growth disorders such as achondroplasia, hypo-achondroplasia, and thanatophor ic dysplasia. Here, we report the complete genomic organization of the mouse Fgfr3 gene. The murine gene spans approximately 15 kb and consi sts of 19 exons and 18 introns. One major and one minor transcription initiation site were identified. Position +1 is located 614 nucleotide s upstream from the ATG initiation codon. The translation initiation a nd termination sites are located in exons 2 and 19, respectively. Five Sp1 sites, two AP2 sites, one Zeste site, and one Krox 24 site were o bserved in the 5'-flanking region. The Fgfr3 promoter appears to be co ntained within a CpG island and, as is common in genes having multiple Sp1-binding sites, lacks a TATA box. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.