A composite transposon 3' to the cow fetal globin gene binds a sequence specific factor.

Two unusual sequence organizations were found within the beta-globin locus of the cow. Each was a composite, consisting of closely linked Alu-type repeats with a short stretch of genomic non-repetitive sequence, called a lagan, sandwiched between. One lagan was found 3' to the fetal globin gene, while the second lay between the adult globin gene and a globin pseudogene. Southern blot analysis indicated that both lagans appeared twice within the cow haploid genome, with the second copies lying outside the cow beta-globin locus. One of these non-globin locus homologues was cloned and subjected to sequence analysis. Comparison of the DNA sequence data showed that the lagan-Alu composite was transposed as a unit. The lagan 3' to the cow fetal globin gene contains the recognition site for a sequence specific DNA binding factor. This factor was present in extracts from fetal, but not from adult cow tissues.