The globin genes of the tammar wallaby ; David Wheeler.

Abstract

"In the study reported in this thesis, a PCR-based approach was used to isolate the b-like globin genes that are present in the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, including the gene that encodes the w-globin chain. Three -like globin genes (b-, e-, w-) that had previously been described at the protein level in the tammar wallaby were characterised. w-globin orthologues were also identified in a wide range of marsupial species, and in one of these species, the dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata), the complete DNA sequence of the w-globin gene was determined. Southern analysis in the dunnart and in situ hybridisation in the tammar wallaby, provided evidence for the unexpected conclusion that w-globin is not part of the -globin gene cluster in these species. RT-PCR studies using RNA isolated from a new-born dunnarts confirmed that w-globin is expressed in this species. Therefore, this is the first report of an "orphaned" b-like globin gene that is expressed in a vertebrate." --p. 6.