CHARACTERIZATION OF HUMAN PRODYNORPHIN GENE TRANSCRIPTS

Prodynorphin gene transcripts have been characterized in human tissues with cRNA probes covering parts of the non-coding exon 1 and the main coding exon 4 using Northern blot and RNase protection experiments. A 2.8-kb signal was observed in human brain RNA with both the exon 1 an d exon 4 probes. An RNase protection assay with the exon 1 probe, perf ormed to map the 5' end of this transcript, produced protected fragmen ts in the range of 0.11 to 0.15 kb,indicating that exon 1 is 1.2 kb sh orter than previously proposed. 5'-RACE-PCR and sequencing of amplifie d cDNA fragments confirmed this assignment In adrenal gland, testis an d the human small cell lung carcinoma cell line, U1690, several prodyn orphin-like mRNAs structurally different from the brain prodynorphin m RNA species were observed. (C) 1995 Academic Press. Inc.