Rat and chicken s-rex/NSP mRNA: Nucleotide sequence of main transcripts and expression of splice variants in rat tissues

Two main transcripts of the s-rex/NSP gene are generated by different promoter usage and differential splicing in neuronal and endocrine tissues of higher vertebrates, suggesting that the encoded proteins function in neuroendocrine secretion. To know more about the structure, expression and evolution of this new gene, we have cloned full-length cDNAs for both 1.5 kb and 3.5 kb transcripts from rat and chicken brain cDNA libraries. Sequence analysis has revealed structures within the 3'-UTR that are conserved in these mRNAs and human NSP mRNA and that could be involved in specific compartmentalization of s-rex/NSP mRNA in neuronal cells. An additional transcript generated by differential splicing of internal exons has been cloned from a rat DRG library. Low levels of s-rex/NSP mRNAs have been detected in some non-neuroendocrine tissues, although substantial levels of a unique transcript have been found in rat testis. By RT-PCR analysis, other tissue-specific transcripts that are products of rare splicing events have been revealed.