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Sequence and genomic organization of the human G-protein Golfα gene (GNAL) on chromosome 18p11, a susceptibility region for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

Molecular Psychiatry volume 5, pages 495–501 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

The sequence and genomic organization of the human Golfα (GNAL) gene were determined. The human GNAL gene was found to contain 12 coding exons, and it spans over 80 kb on chromosome 18p11. 5′ RACE analysis suggested an additional transcription initiation start site. Sequence analysis of the putative promoter region revealed conserved binding sites for several transcription factors. Sequence analysis of the 3′-untranslated region revealed the presence of two Alu sequences and two polyadenylation signals. 3′ RACE analysis confirmed the functionality of the most downstream poly-a signal. The human GNAL was found to be expressed as a single transcript of about 5.9 kb in the brain. One highly informative dinucleotide repeat was found in intron 5. Additionally, a processed pseudogene for asparagine synthetase was found about 6 kb upstream of the GNAL gene. Knowledge of the sequence and structure of the human GNAL gene provides essential information for further analysis of the GNAL locus at chromosome 18p11 which has been linked to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Ms Rohini Dhulipala and Ms Aila Jokinen for excellent technical assistance. This work was supported in part by a grant from the Lucille P Markey Charitable Trust.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biocenter Oulu and Department of Medical Biochemistry, Collagen Research Unit, Aapistie 7, FIN-90014 University of Oulu, Finland

    J T Vuoristo & L Ala-Kokko

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, Pennsylvania, USA

    W H Berrettini & T N Ferraro

  3. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, 19107, Pennsylvania, USA

    J Overhauser

  4. Center for Gene Therapy, MCP Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, 19102, Pennsylvania, USA

    D J Prockop & L Ala-Kokko

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  1. J T Vuoristo
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  2. W H Berrettini
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  4. D J Prockop
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  5. T N Ferraro
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  6. L Ala-Kokko
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Correspondence to L Ala-Kokko.

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Vuoristo, J., Berrettini, W., Overhauser, J. et al. Sequence and genomic organization of the human G-protein Golfα gene (GNAL) on chromosome 18p11, a susceptibility region for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Mol Psychiatry 5, 495–501 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4000758

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