Gene structure of semenogelin I and II. The predominant proteins in human semen are encoded by two homologous genes on chromosome 20

Abstract

The genes for semenogelin I and II, the major protein constituents of the human seminal fluid, have been characterized by three overlapping clones in bacteriophage lambda, encompassing 31.5 kilobases (kb) of genomic DNA. The two genes are located 11.5 kb apart in the region q12-q13.1 on chromosome 20. Both genes are relatively compact, spanning only 2.7 and 3.1 kb, respectively. The transcription units are composed of three exons, of which the first encodes the signal peptide, the second encodes the secreted protein, while the third solely contains 3'-noncoding nucleotides. The nucleotide sequences exhibit a similarity of close to 90% in the exons and exceeding 80% in the introns and flanking nucleotides.