DNA-SEQUENCE AND MUSCLE-SPECIFIC EXPRESSION OF HUMAN SARCOSIN TRANSCRIPTS

We have characterized two abundant human cDNAs which, through Northern hybridization analysis, are selectively expressed in human sarcomeric muscle. DNA sequencing was performed and the two cDNAs were found to share sequence identity, with the exception of a 3' UTR extension pres ent on the longer transcript. Our data suggest that the two transcript s are generated through alternative use of two poly(A) addition signal s. The cDNAs encode a large open reading frame encompassing at least 4 35 codons. Through sequence comparisons, both at the DNA and predicted amino acid sequence level, we have been unable to find significant se quence similarity to any other characterized sequence. Consequently, w e have termed this novel human sequence sarcosin. Although novel, Sout hern hybridization analysis demonstrated that the sarcosin sequence ha s been conserved in several mammalian species.