Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of chicken avidin‐related genes 1–5

Abstract

Using avidin cDNA as a hybridisation probe, we detected a gene family whose putative products are related to the chicken egg‐white avidin. Two overlapping genomic clones were found to contain five genes (avidin‐related genes 1–5, avrl‐avr5), which have been cloned, characterized and sequenced. All of the genes have a four‐exon structure with an overall identity with the avidin cDNA of 88–92%. The genes appear to have no pseudogenic features and, in fact, two of these genes have been shown to be transcribed. The putative proteins share a sequence identity of 68–78% with avidin. The amino acid residues responsible for the biotin‐binding activity of avidin and the bacterial biotin‐binding protein, streptavidin, are highly conserved. Since avidin is induced in both a progesterone‐specific manner and in connection with inflammation, these genes offer a valuable tool to study complex gene regulation in vivo. Copyright © 1994, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved