Structure and chromosomal location of the rat gene encoding the heart fatty acid-binding protein

The gene coding for rat heart fatty acid-binding protein (FABP), along with 1.2 kb of its 5 '-untranscribed region, was amplified by PCR, cloned and s equenced. As in other FABP genes, the coding sequence is interrupted by thr ee introns of 3.4, 1.4 and 1.1 kb, respectively. Fluorescence ii? situ hybr idization mapping revealed that the gene is located on chromosome 5q36. Usi ng intron-specific primers flanking exon 2, unspliced primary transcript RN A:of the FABP gene was detected in a preparation of total RNA isolated from rat heart, proving that the cloned gene is expressed in adult cardiac tiss ue.