Structure and chromosomal localization of the human and murine genes for the macrophage MARCO receptor

The structures of the human and mouse genes for the macrophage receptor wit h collagenous structure were determined. Both genes have 17 exons, of which exons 4-15 encode the collagenous domain. The transcription initiation sit es in the mouse gene were identified using primer extension, SI nuclease ma pping, and 5' capturing rapid amplification of cDNA ends assays. All three methods revealed two major initiation sites, one starting 27 bp downstream of a TATA box and another at positions -63 and -66 downstream of an AT-rich region. Several potential binding sites for transcription factors were ide ntified in the promoter region, neither gene has a CAAT bog or GC boxes. Th e human and mouse genes were localized to syntenic regions on chromosomes 2 and 1, respectively, using fluorescence in situ hybridization. (C) 1999 Ac ademic Press.