Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of two rat major globin cDNAs

Abstract Two cDNA clones for globins of the adult Wistar rat were isolated from a reticulocyte cDNA library and the nucleotide sequences of the inserts were determined. One clone contained a cDNA insert consisting of 556 bp and the other contained one of 577 bp, both covering the entire coding sequences for rat globins. Comparisons of their predicted amino acid sequences with known sequences of rat globins revealed that these cDNAs coded for a rat major α and a major β-globin, II α and II β, respectively. The cause of diversity of rat globins was discussed in terms of the nucleotide sequences of cDNAs and known amino acid sequences of globins.