Maxwell M M, Nearing J, Aziz N
Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
J Biol Chem. 1995 Oct 20;270(42):25213-9. doi: 10.1074/jbc.270.42.25213.
Ke 6 gene is a newly identified gene located in the major histocompatibility complex and is a candidate steroid dehydrogenase gene because of structural homology and regulatory similarities with mammalian steroid dehydrogenases. We report here the complete nucleotide sequence and intron-exon organization of the Ke 6 gene and cloning of the alternatively spliced Ke 6b transcript. We find that Ke 6 gene expression is down-regulated in pcy mice which is a murine model of polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Thus far, Ke 6 gene expression is down-regulated in all murine models of PKD we have examined. Abnormal steroid metabolism as a possible cause of PKD is discussed.
