SEQUENCE OF THE SHEEP FETAL BETA-GLOBIN GENE AND FLANKING REGION

The sheep beta(F) globin gene has been sequenced completely, including 829 bases of 5' flanking region and 1368 bases 3' to the stop codon. In evolutionary terms, this gene is a homolog of the adult beta-like g lobin genes, including human beta. Over the course of evolution of Bov idae (comprised of sheep, goats, and cattle) the expression of beta(F) has become restricted to the fetal compartment of development. Compar isons between beta(F) and other closely related Bovidae beta globin ge nes indicate repetitive sequences that were inserted in these genes ov er the course of their divergence and a region which may be functional ly significant to the developmentally regulated expression of beta(F).