Structure and alternative splicing of the gene encoding alpha(1G), a humanbrain T calcium channel alpha(1) subunit

The structure of CACNA1G, the gene encoding alpha(1G), a human brain T Ca2 channel alpha(1) subunit, was determined by comparison of polymerase chain reaction-amplified brain cDNA and genomic sequences. The gene consists of at least 38 exons, two of them newly-identified, spanning at least 66 490 b asepairs of chromosome 17q22. Alternative splicing of the RNA occurs at six sites: cassette exons 14, 26, 34 and 35, an internal donor in exon 25 and protein-coding intron 38B. Additionally, the RNA can be polyadenylated at e ither of two sites. Alternative splicing of CACNA1G RNA may lead to express ion of as many as 24 distinct protein products, ranging from 2171 to 2377 a mino-acids residues. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights rese rved.