A NEW HUMAN GENE (DXS1357E) WITH UBIQUITOUS EXPRESSION, LOCATED IN XQ28 ADJACENT TO THE ADRENOLEUKODYSTROPHY GENE

We have isolated a new human gene (DXS1357E; laboratory name: CDM) localized in Xq28. This gene is transcribed from the same CpG; island as the adrenoleukodystrophy gene (ALD) and oriented in the opposite direction. It encodes a 1.5-kb transcript that exhibits ubiquitous expression and contains a single open reading frame. The 246 deduced amino acid sequence suggests the presence of membrane-associated segments and a weak similarity with the rod-like tail portion of heavy chain myosins from different species. The DXS1357E gene may be a candidate for one of the many diseases mapping to this region. A preliminary analysis did not show rearrangements of the gene in 19 independent patients with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.