APC gene messenger RNA: novel isoforms that lack exon 7.

The APC gene at human chromosome 5q21 is responsible for familial adenomatous polyposis coli. Furthermore, sporadic cancers of not only colon but also other digestive organs often contain mutations in the APC gene. A dominant mouse mutation Min that was generated by chemical mutagenesis and causes polyposis in the digestive tract is in the mouse homologue of the human APC gene. The APC mRNA is generated from 15 exons. Two mRNA isoforms were reported which are produced by alternative splicing in the 9th exon. Here, we report novel mRNA isoforms that lack the 7th exon in both mouse and human cells.