P116 transcript predicting an alternative form of sulfated glycoprotein‐2 (clusterin) is transcribed by alternative splicing mechanism

Abstract

AbstractTo further determine the role of androgens in the seminal vesicle physiology, we previously undertook cDNA cloning of androgen‐responsive mRNAs from rat seminal vesicles, and isolated several cDNA clones. During the process of characterization, we have isolated a distinct cDNA clone designated p116, predicting the expression of a transcript encoding an alternative form of sulfated glycoprotein‐2 (SGP‐2, clusterin). In the present study, we addressed the question of whether SGP‐2 and p116 transcripts are transcribed from an identical gene by alternative splicing mechanism or not. Results from genomic PCR and genomic Southern analyses demonstrate that p116 and SGP‐2 mRNAs are transcribed from their respective exons of an identical gene. Since the expression of SGP‐2 has been proposed as a molecular marker of apoptosis, it is important to further understand the roles of expressions of SGP‐2 and its related p 116 proteins in apoptotic cells.