Identification, characterization, and mapping of novel members of the Siglec family

grantor: University of TorontoThe sialic acid binding immunoglobulin-like lectin (Siglec) family is a recently described member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. Within this Siglec family there exists a subgroup of molecules which bear a very high degree of homology with the molecule Siglec-3 (CD33), thus designated the Siglec-3-like subgroup of Siglecs. Members of this subgroup have been localized to chromosome 19q13.4, primarily through in situ hybridization. Through our investigation of chromosome 19q13.3-13.4, we identified, and precisely characterized three genes belonging to this Siglec-3-like subgroup. We identified the novel Siglec-9, located adjacent to the human Kallikrein gene family on chromosome 19q13.4, and the previously reported Siglec-8 gene downstream of Siglec-9, for which we characterized a novel transcript. Finally, we identified and mapped another novel Siglec-like gene, and characterized two splice variants. From preliminary studies, all Siglec-3-like subgroup members may play an inhibitory role of haemopoietic cell proliferation, and have some utility in antineoplastic therapy.M.Sc