Characterization of the gene for the bovine seminal vesicle secretory protein SVSP109

Abstract

As part of an attempt to understand androgen-regulation of SVSP109, a bovine seminal vesicle secretory protein of 109 amino acids, we have characterized the bovine SVSP109 gene. The 6.1 kb gene is organized in five exons and four introns. Regulatory sequences involved in regulation of transcription could not be identified by simple sequence homologies. The SVSP109 gene may provide an excellent example for functional properties of exons: exon 1 encodes the entire signal peptide and exon 4 the complete fibronectin type II-domain, responsible for protein-protein interactions.