THE HUMAN MYELIN OLIGODENDROCYTE GLYCOPROTEIN (MOG) GENE - COMPLETE NUCLEOTIDE-SEQUENCE AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION

Human myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), a myelin component of the central nervous system, is a candidate target antigen for autoimm une-mediated demyelination. We have isolated and sequenced part of a c osmid clone that contains the entire human MOG gene. The primary nucle ar transcript, extending from the putative start of transcription to t he site of poly(A) addition, is 15,561 nucleotides in length. The huma n MOG gene contains 8 exons, separated by 7 introns; canonical intron/ exon boundary sites are observed at each junction. The introns vary in size from 242 to 6484 bp and contain numerous repetitive DNA elements , including 14 Alu sequences within 3 introns. Another Alu element is located in the 3'-untranslated region of the gene. Alu sequences were classified with respect to subfamily assignment. Seven hundred sixty-t hree nucleotides 5' of the transcription start and 1214 nucleotides 3' of the poly(A) addition sites were also sequenced. The 5'-flanking re gion revealed the presence of several consensus sequences that could b e relevant in the transcription of the MOG: gene, in particular bindin g sites in common with other myelin gene promoters. Two polymorphic in tragenic dinucleotide (CA)(n) and tetranucleotide (TAAA)(n) repeats we re identified and may provide genetic marker tools for association and linkage studies. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.