Isolation and structural analysis of the mouse beta-casein gene.

Three overlapping clones containing the entire beta-casein gene were isolated from a mouse genomic library constructed in bacteriophage lambda EMBL3. Within the three clones the 6.8-kb casein gene was flanked by about 6-kb (5') and about 10-kb (3') sequences. The complete nucleotide sequence of the gene and its immediate flanking regions was determined. The gene consisted of nine exons ranging from 21 bp to 525 bp separated by introns ranging from 81 bp to 1288 bp. The length of the first exon was 43 bp, as determined by primer extension. The comparison of this sequence with that of the rat beta-casein gene showed that the overall structure of the gene was highly conserved. However, the first intron of the mouse gene was 400 bp shorter than that of the rat gene. Further analysis of homology between this gene and four other casein genes from rat and bovine revealed the presence of four highly conserved sequences. A search for the consensus sequences of transcription-regulatory elements showed that several potential regulatory sequences were present in the gene and its 5' flanking region.