GENOMIC STRUCTURE, CHROMOSOMAL LOCALIZATION, AND EXPRESSION OF HUMAN CATHEPSIN-W

A 12 kb genomic fragment containing the entire open reading frame of t he human cathepsin W was isolated and the genomic organization of this papain-like protease gene was determined. The 3.8 kb gene was mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization to chromosome 11q13.1. The gene contained ten exons with introns ranging from 81 to 1119 bp. Four of t he nine introns and a 5' untranslated exon were conserved when compare d to related genes such as cathepsins L, K and S, whereas there was no similarity to the genomic organization of cathepsins B or C. In contr ast to conserved splice site locations in other cysteine protease fami ly members, the cathepsin W gene contained five unique locations. Furt hermore, human cathepsin W cDNA was expressed, and was found to be loc alized within the rough endoplasmic reticulum in transiently transfect ed Cos-7 and Hela cells. (C) 1998 Academic Press.