Mouse annexin XI (anx11)(2) was cloned from a macrophage cDNA library
and characterized by genetic linkage mapping, DNA sequencing, and stru
ctural comparison with other annexins. The Anx11 gene localized to mou
se chromosome 14 in close linkage with the Rarb, Plau, and Wnt5a genes
near the centromere and 1.8 cM distal from the Anx7 gene, The open re
ading frame was flanked by long, untranslated regions and encoded a 50
3-amino-acid protein with 93.1% identity to its human orthologue. Its
189-aa amino terminus corresponded to the widely expressed variant 1 o
f two possible, alternatively spliced forms. A previously described pe
ptide from Aplysia brasiliana was identified as a closely related inve
rtebrate homologue. Since annexin XI is known to be localized in the n
ucleus at certain stages of development, the identification of a regio
n in tetrad repeats 3 and 4 resembling the ''chromo box'' domain may b
e relevant to a nuclear regulatory function of annexin XI. Knowledge o
f the mouse cDNA sequence and genetic map location will assist in the
analysis of genomic organization and expression and provide a useful a
nimal model to investigate gene function and hereditary phenotype for
annexin XI. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.