Methods for Identifying Gene Regulatory Sequences, and the Identity of such Sequences

A barrier to advances in understanding the mechanisms and regulation of imprinting of a genomic region is our poor understanding of the organization of genes and the cis regulatory factors located in 97% of the non-exonic genome. Sequence analysis offers an effective approach for the identification of conserved functional regulatory elements. Johns Hopkins University researchers have used this approach to compare 1 Mb of imprinted genomic domain on mouse chromosome 7 to its orthologous region on human 11p15.5. Within this region 112 exons of known genes were identified, as well as a novel gene identified uniquely in the mouse region, termed Msuit. In addition, 33 CpG islands and 49 orthologous non-exonic non-island sequences were conserved representing 4.2% of the total sequence. These conserved non-coding sequence elements were generally clustered near imprinted genes. Finally, the location of CpG islands provide powerful evidence suggesting a two-island rule for imprinted genes.

Inventor(s): Feinberg, Andrew Paul

Type of Offer: Licensing



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