Identification by nucleotide sequence analysis of a goat pseudoglobin gene

Abstract

We have recently prepared a recombinant library of goat genomic DNA and have isolated clones containing the known goat globin genes. These include the α, γ, β ^C and β ^A genes. In addition to these, another β-like sequence has been observed. In this communication we report the complete nucleotide sequence of this gene, excluding a portion of the large intervening sequence. Several features suggest that this is a non-functional or pseudoglobin gene. The alterations include a frameshift mutation, substitution of the heme-binding histidines, a mutated termination codon, a change in the GT/AG excision sequence of the 5′ end of the first intervening sequence, an AT rich sequence in the 3′ untranslated region, and a mutated Hogness-Goldberg box. We conclude that this gene cannot function in the synthesis of globin.