CHROMOSOMAL STRUCTURE OF THE HUMAN TYRP1 AND TYRP2 LOCI AND COMPARISON OF THE TYROSINASE-RELATED PROTEIN CONE FAMILY

The structures of the human tyrosinase-related protein genes TYRP1 and TYRP2 have been determined and compared with that of the tyrosinase g ene (TYR), The TYRP1 protein is encoded in 7 exons spread over 24 kb o f genomic DNA. Characterization of a 55-kb contig encompassing the hum an TYRP2 locus reveals that the protein coding region is divided into 8 exons. All three members of the TYRP gene family share a common C-te rminal membrane spanning exon. Examination of the position of other in tron junctions suggests that TYRP1 was derived from at TYR duplication and then was itself duplicated to give rise to the TYRP2 gene. The ev idence also suggests that at least some of the introns within the TYR, TYRP1, and TYRP2 coding regions were gained after duplication and tha t intron slippage is unlikely to have occurred. (C) 1995 Academic Pres s, Inc.