[Decoding of the primary structure of the son3 region in human genome: identification of a new protein with unusual structure and homology with DNA-binding proteins]

Abstract

From the human embryonic cDNA library a son3 transcript was cloned and sequenced (1454 base pairs). Determination of its sequence revealed only one open reading frame, whereas five other frames contained a number of termination codons. Translation of the son3 sequence in the unique open reading frame into the amino acid sequence by computer and comparison with the NBRF protein data bank showed that the son3 fragment codes for a new previously unknown polypeptide with the following properties: a) it contains a cluster of short tandemly arranged repeats 7-12 amino acid in length located in the middle part of son3; b) it comprises a region homologous to DNA binding structural proteins (for example, gallin, 55%) and to regulatory proteins coded by the family of proto-oncogene myc; c) it comprises a region homologous to the oncoprotein coded by proto-oncogene mos (human, murine).