Alpha-fetoprotein related gene (ARG): a new member of the albumin gene family that is no longer functional in primates.

ABSTRACT: The serum albumin gene family is comprised of albumin, alpha-fetoprotein, alpha-albumin (afamin), and the more distantly related Vitamin D binding protein. These genes arose from a common ancestor through a series of duplication events, are expressed primarily in the liver and tightly linked in all species where this has been investigated. Here, we describe a fifth member of the albumin gene family that we have named Alpha-fetoprotein Related Gene (ARG) since it exhibits greatest similarity to this family member. ARG is activated in the liver perinatally, but is expressed at very low levels. The ARG gene is present and intact in the mouse, rat, dog and horse genomes. In contrast, the ARG gene in human, chimpanzee, rhesus monkey, and marmoset contains a number of mutations common to all fou

SUBMITTER: Naidu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2799041 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature