STRUCTURE AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE GENE ENCODING A MOUSE KAPPA(3)-RELATED OPIOID RECEPTOR

A genomic clone comprising the entire cDNA sequence encoding a mouse k appa(3)-related opioid receptor (KOR-3) was isolated by screening a mo use genomic library with a radiolabeled mouse KOR-3 cDNA probe. Sequen ce analysis of the genomic clone indicates that the KOR-3 gene contain s five exons separated by four introns. The transcription start point (tsp) of KOR-3 was mapped by primer extension analysis of RNAs synthes ized either in vivo or in vitro. A TATA-box and several potential regu latory elements, including five GRE sites, four NF-E1 binding sites an d one MRE site, are present in the 2 kb of 5'-flanking region. A putat ive poly(A) signal (AATAAA) is found in the 3'-flanking region.