Length polymorphism in the 3' noncoding region of rat hepatic alpha 2u-globulin mRNAs.

We detected two size classes in rat liver alpha 2u-globulin mRNAs when analyzing cDNA clones, and named the mRNAs corresponding to the cDNA clones having longer and shorter sizes as L-type and S-type, respectively. When sequencing these cDNA clones, a 25 base insertion was present in the L-type at the 6th exon-intron junction. The extra sequence coincided with the 5' part of the reported 6th intronic sequence that is directly contiguous to the 3' part of the 6th exon. The relative abundance of L- and S-type mRNAs in the steady-state liver was determined by a sensitive S1 nuclease analysis using the probe prepared from the L-type cDNA. The same method was also applied for the determination of the L/S ratios during the course of postnatal development and estrogen treatment, all resulting in similar values, of about 0.03. These findings indicated that L-type and S-type mRNAs are generated by an alternative splicing mechanism in the 3' noncoding region of alpha 2u-globulin transcripts. Sequence analysis also elucidated the presence of at least two active genes showing exactly the same pattern of alternative splicing.