Figure 1.
Organization of the human and mouse SLC1A1/EAAC1 genes. (a, b) Linear representation of genes with base pair numbering indicated at the top. The human SLC1A1/EAAC1 gene consists of 12 exons arranged along chromosome 9. There are two functional promoters (designated P1 and P2). The mouse SLC1A1/EAAC1 gene (on chromosome 19) is remarkably similar to the human gene; 11 of its 12 exons are exactly the same size as in humans. The mouse EAAC1 gene also contains two functional promoters, designated P1 and P2. The mouse EAAC1 mRNA is overall 85% identical to the human sequence and the mouse protein 90% identical to the human. (c) Predicted exon structure of mRNA transcripts derived from promoters P1 and P2. (d) Contribution of exons to the protein of EAAC1. Schematic diagram of a single subunit of the EAAC1 protein inserted into the cellular membrane, with the inside and outside of the cell indicated. The diagram is based on alignment of EAAC1 to the glutamate homolog of Pyrococcus horikoshii, whose structure was determined by crystallography.39 Number and color indicate the region of the protein encoded by specific exons.