STRUCTURE OF THE HUMAN CD94 C-TYPE LECTIN GENE

The genomic structure of the human CD94 gene was obtained by analyzing genomic clones obtained from two different Libraries. The CD94 gene c ontains six exons separated by five introns. The carbohydrate-recognit ion domain (CRD) is encoded by three exons, and the conservation of in tron positions within the CRD indicated that CD94 is closely related t o group V of C-type lectins. Primer extension and SI nuclease protecti on assays showed that initiation of transcription in the CD94 gene is heterogeneous, but restricted to a 60 base pair region around the majo r initiation site enclosed within a putative initiator element (TTA(+1 )TTCA). The study of the promoter region of CD94 may help to understan d the selective expression of this C-type lectin glycoprotein on NK ce lls and subsets of cytotoxic T cells.