Summary
The gene encoding murine coagulation factor VII (fVII) has been cloned. Seven introns
and eight exons are present, with the introns positioned as splice junctions between
the major domain units of the protein. A total of 11,748 bp of the gene was sequenced,
and included 1,077 bp of a 5’-flanking region, in which several high probability binding
sites for liver transcription factors were present, as well as a CCAAT sequence and
possible GC boxes. Primer extension analysis revealed that the major transcription
start site was positioned only 9 residues upstream of the ATG initiation codon, thus
providing a very short 5’-untranslated region of the gene. The sequence of the CAP
site in the murine fVII gene matched exactly the consensus eukaryotic sequence. A
total of 1,484 bp of 3’-flanking nucleotides included a probable polyadenylation site
(ATTAAA) and an appropriately positioned downstream consensus sequence (AGTGTTTC)
for the efficient formation of a 3’ terminus of mRNA. These results indicate that
all elements are present for liver-based transcription of the gene for murine factor
VII. The sequence and restriction endonuclease map of this gene will facilitate construction
of fVII deficient mice and mice containing mutant fVII genes.
