Lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF/p75) and p52 are derived from a single gene by alternative splicing

A human gene that encodes lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF) was isolated, and the DNA sequence and the exon/intron organization was determined. The gene contains at least IS exons and 14 introns and encodes LEDGF mRNA and p52 mRNA. Exons 1-15 encode LEDGF mRNA, and exons 1-9, and a part of the ninth intron encode a splice variant (p52). Sequences of the exon/intron junctions of the gene have the highly conserved GT/AG rule. Most intron/exon junctions correspond to junctions of individual protein motifs. Almost equal amounts of LEDGF and p52 are expressed in lens epithelial cells in culture. The LEDGF gene is assigned to chromosome 9p22.2, which is adjacent to the major cell malignancy locus. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.