Genomic organization, chromosomal localization, and transcriptional variants of the murine pactolus gene

The Pactolus gene encodes a cell surface protein similar to that of the β integrin subunit family. The murine Pactolus gene is comprised of 16 exons that encompass 24 kb of the genome. The genomic organization of the Pactolus gene is very similar to that described for the human β2 integrin gene (and deduced for murine β2 integrin), including a separate exon containing only 5′ untranslated sequences. The Pactolus gene was mapped to a terminal region of murine Chromosome (Chr) 16, distinct from the previously mapped site of the β2 integrin gene on murine Chr 10. The Pactolus gene encodes three distinct transcripts via alternative splicing. The Pactolus A transcript encodes the full-length protein including transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, while the Pactolus B transcript truncates translation before reaching these membrane-anchoring sequences. A newly discovered form, Pactolus C, is found in neonatal samples (along with Pactolus A) and would also encode a prematurely terminated protein. This form is derived from an alternative splicing event that skips part of exon 11, deletes exon 12, and uses an alternative acceptor site upstream of exon 13. The formation of the Pactolus B and C forms is thus governed by a complex alternative splicing mechanism that is affected by the developmental status of the animal.