Isolation and analysis of the mouse genomic sequence encoding Cu super(2+)-Zn super(2+) superoxide dismutase

Cu super(2+)-Zn super(2+) superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) is a ubiquitously synthesized eukaryotic enzyme with a variety of important roles in mammalian development and physiology. With the goal of better understanding the structure and regulation of this gene, we have cloned and analyzed the genomic structure of the mouse DOD-1 gene. The murine sequence has an intron:exon organization very similar to that of the human gene, though significant diversion was observed in the promoter and 3' regions. These differences account for the observation that only a single transcript for SOD-1 is seen in mouse cells, while two transcripts are derived from the human gene.