Figure 1

Gg NEU3 gene structure and chromosomal localization. (A) Schematic representation of the putative structure of Gg NEU3 gene based on BLAT alignment of predicted Gg NEU3 mRNA with chicken genome. Exons (1-3) are represented by gray boxes and their length (bp) is indicated below. The repeat region is indicated as a dark grey area in Exon 3. The black area marked as Gg NEU3*S indicates the 81 bp region lacking in Gg NEU3 short allelic form. The question mark on Exon 2 indicates that its exact location could not be determined due to the presence of a gap (dotted bar) in the genomic sequence. (B) Schematic representation of the genomic region surrounding the Gg NEU3 gene on chicken Chr1, compared to the corresponding regions surrounding NEU3 on human Chr11 and on zebra finch Chr1. Arrows indicate the 5'-3' orientation of gene transcripts. Small arrows indicate human genes apparently not present in chicken and zebra finch. NEU3 genes are indicated as black arrows; white and light gray arrows indicate blocks of genes showing conserved syntheny; dark gray arrows indicate the intervening SLCO2B1 gene. (C) PCR amplification performed on genomic DNA from different specimens showing the presence of the two allelic forms in homozygous (Gg NEU3*L and Gg NEU3*S) as well as heterozygous state (Gg NEU3*L/S). (D) Reverse transcription mediated PCR with Gg NEU3 _F and Gg NEU3 _Ex_R oligonucleotides carried out on different tissues from the same chicken specimen. Products size is indicated on the left.