I2665_Sequencing_BACs_containing_the_APOBEC3_gene_cluster. I2665_Sequencing_BACs_containing_the_APOBEC3_gene_cluster

The genomes of humans and other primates encode at least five, and possibly up to seven, APOBEC3 proteins, all of which are encoded by a single gene cluster on chromosome 22. APOBEC3 proteins have homology to APOBEC1 and to two other human gene products, APOBEC2 and activation-induced deaminase (AID). APOBEC1 is a cytidine deaminase which edits a single C residue to U on the mRNA encoding apolipoprotein B (ApoB), thereby introducing a premature stop codon and inducing production of a truncated form of ApoB. AID and the APOBEC3s are DNA mutators, acting in antigen-driven antibody diversification processes and in an innate defense system against retroviruses, respectively. Recent evidence has suggested that APOBEC3 genes may be involved in cancer related mutagenesis as a result of their anti-vral DNA mutation role. As we wish to introduce the APOBEC3 gene cluster into mice as a transgene we would like to sequence BAC clones containing the APOBEC3 genes.