MOUSE ANNEXIN-III CDNA, GENETIC-MAPPING AND EVOLUTION

Mouse annexin III cDNA was characterized from I.M.A.G.E. Consortium (L LNL) expressed sequence tag clones by molecular sequencing, chromosoma l mapping and systematic analysis. cDNA sequences extended the known 5 ' and 3' untranslated regions and confirmed the location of intron 7 w ith respect to the human gene. The Anx3 locus mapped to the middle of mouse chromosome 5 between Areg and Fgf5. Protein-coding regions were compared with homologous annexins to establish subfamily identity, str uctural conservation and divergence pattern. Annexin III exhibited low functional constraint against structural change and weak phylogenetic association with known annexins. The rapid, constant divergence of hu man and rodent annexins III from each other and from other annexin sub families was used to estimate gene separation times. Phylogenetic, phe netic and structural data suggested a possible direct or indirect sepa ration of annexin III from XI approximately 317 million years ago. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.