cDNA cloning, genomic structure, and chromosomal localization of a novel murine epidermis-type lipoxygenase

Using a combination of degenerate PCR technique and conventional screening procedures, we isolated a cDNA encoding a novel lipoxygenase, termed epider mis-type lipoxygenase-3 (e-LOX-3, gene symbol Aloxe3), from mouse skin, Alo xe3 mRNA is expressed in the stratified epithelia of skin, tongue, and fore stomach. The cDNA encodes a protein of 711 amino acids with a calculated mo lecular mass of 80.6 kDa, The amino acid sequence shows approximately 54% i dentity to the recently identified 12(R)-lipoxygenase, Sequence comparison revealed a segment of 41 amino acid residues localized near the boundary be tween the N- and the C-terminal domain sequences of the molecule, a structu ral feature that is also characteristic of 12(R)lipoxygenase, suggesting th at these two epidermis-derived lipoxygenases may be members of a novel stru ctural class of mammalian lipoxygenases, The novel lipoxygenase gene is div ided into 15 exons and 14 introns, spanning 22.3 kb of genomic DNA. By inte rspecific backcross analysis, the novel gene was localized to the central r egion of mouse chromosome 11. (C) 1999 Academic Press.