Characterisation of the murine gene encoding the intracellular hyaluronan receptor IHABP (RHAMM)

We have recently shown that the published cDNA sequence encoding the murine cell surface receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility (RHAMM) in fact rep resents a partial sequence of the cDNA encoding a new intracellular hyaluro nic acid binding protein (IHABP). Here we publish the genomic organisation, including 700 bp sequences of the promoter region, of the IHABP gene. The IHABP gene consists of 18 exons and spans more than 25 kb. Part of the IHAB P gene is identical with the published data on RHAMM. The IHABP gene appare ntly possesses one promoter region with one major transcriptional start poi nt. IHABP is ubiquitously expressed at the mRNA and the protein level in al l murine tissues, suggesting that the function of this intracellular hyalur onan binding protein is not restricted to migrating cells. (C) 1999 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.