Organization of the gene encoding the mouse T-cell-specific serine proteinase "granzyme A"

Abstract

The mouse serine protease granzyme A is a member of a closely related family of T-cell-associated proteolytic enzymes, designated granzymes A-G. Previous studies have indicated that granzymes A and B are involved in various T-cell-mediated processes. Here we report the genomic organization of the granzyme A gene. We have cloned a 15-kb DNA fragment from a genomic library of a cloned CD8+ T-cell line and sequenced the exon-intron boundaries. The gene consists of five exons, and its genomic organization is very similar to that described for granzymes B, C, and F. In addition, we have sequenced 1.4 kb of the 5'-region and 1.1 kb of the 3'-region flanking the granzyme A gene. Putative promoter and enhancer elements were identified by sequence comparison with known consensus sequences. Some of these regulatory elements seem to be associated exclusively with granzyme A, whereas others are shared by members of the granzyme family.