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. 1991 May 25;19(10):2579–2586. doi: 10.1093/nar/19.10.2579

Comparison of ZFY and ZFX gene structure and analysis of alternative 3' untranslated regions of ZFY.

M North 1, C Sargent 1, J O'Brien 1, K Taylor 1, J Wolfe 1, N A Affara 1, M A Ferguson-Smith 1
PMCID: PMC328173  PMID: 2041734

Abstract

We have cloned and sequenced transcripts from the X- and Y-linked zinc-finger genes ZFX and ZFY respectively and discuss a possible mechanism of post-transcriptional control by which these genes can be widely expressed but translated in only specific tissues. We report the identification of a novel 3'UTR (untranslated region) present in ZFY which is highly conserved among primates and contains a series of motifs implicated as mRNA instability determinants. These sequences can be substantially removed by polyadenylation directed from consensus (AATAAA) and non-consensus (AATATAAA) sequences in adult testis. The DNA-binding domains of the ZFY and ZFX proteins are compared using present models for zinc-finger/DNA interactions. Additionally, the genomic organisation of the ZFY coding sequence is presented as compared to that of ZFX.

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