Molecular cloning and characterization of the mouse peroxiredoxin V gene

We have cloned two cDNA isoforms as well as genomic sequences of the mouse Prx V gene and characterized their molecular genetic features. Two isoforms of the mouse Prx V cDNA were identified from liver and testis. The testis- originated long transcripts had extra 1164-bp 5'-UTR sequences compared to the liver-originated short transcripts. Primer extension and sequence analy ses revealed that the two isoforms were presumably transcribed at the same gene locus. The gene was composed of six exons spanning 3.2 kb. The short t ranscript was abundantly expressed in the kidney, liver, and heart of the a dult mouse tissues and in the extra membrane of the 10.5 dpc embryos. The l ong transcript of 1985 bp was abundantly detected in testis with trace amou nts in other tissues. Interestingly, in testis and fetus, only mRNA express ion of the long form was identified. However, the protein expression was no t found in testis, implying that the long form could not properly direct th e protein expression. The long Prx V cDNA has eight uORFs in the extra 5'-U TR, which proceed the major ORF. The inability of protein expression for th e long-form cDNA in testis suggests that the uORFs might inhibit translatio n of the major ORF and thereby confer the tissue-specific regulation of the mouse Prx V gene. (C) 2000 Academic Press.