Cloning, mRNA localization and evolutionary conservation of a human 5-HT7 receptor pseudogene

Initial experiments designed to clone novel serotonin receptor subtypes in the substantia nigra have led to the discovery of a transcribed human 5-HT7 receptor pseudogene that is expressed in a wide range of tissues. The orig inal clone (S771) possessed greater than 90% homology to the 5-HT7 receptor sequence and was identified by a degenerate PCR approach. Expression of th e pseudogene transcript was detected throughout the brain and peripheral ti ssues in general agreement with 5-HT7 mRNA localization. interestingly, the transcript was detected in tissues not known to express the 5-HT7 receptor (i.e. liver and kidney). Analysis of genomic DNA explained the genesis of the human pseudogene via a processed parental transcript (retrotranspositio n) and led to the discovery of a species homologue in the rhesus monkey. (C ) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.