1: Oncol Rep. 2005 Jul;14(1):287-90. 

Comparative genomics on FGF20 orthologs.

Katoh M, Katoh M.

M&M Medical BioInformatics, Hongo 113-0033, Japan.

We cloned and characterized human FGF20 in August, 2000. Ohmachi et al claimed
the same gene as a novel FGF family member in October, 2000, and Jeffers et al
in April, 2001. FGF20 is up-regulated in colorectal cancer due to the activation
of WNT/beta-catenin pathway. FGF20 is applicable as the mucosal protective agent
for inflammatory bowel disease and chemotherapy/radiation-induced oral
mucositis, and also as the inducer of dopaminergic neurons for Parkinson's
disease. FGF20 is a target of pharmacogenomics in the field of oncology and
regenerative medicine. Here, comparative genomics analyses on FGF20 orthologs
were performed. Zebrafish fgf20 gene, consisting of three exons, was located
within BX323810.8 genome sequence. Zebrafish fgf20 (208 aa) showed 76.9%, 76.4%,
76.0% and 75.5% total-amino-acid identity with human FGF20, Xenopus fgf20, rat
Fgf20 and mouse Fgf20, respectively. Fgf20 orthologs were well conserved among
vertebrates. Human FGF20 gene was linked to EFHA2 gene in head-to-head manner
with an interval of about 25 kb. FGF20-EFHA2 locus at human chromosome 8p22 and
FGF9-EFHA1 locus at human chromosome 13q12.11 were paralogous regions
(paralogons) within the human genome. The 5'-flanking promoter region, exonic
regions except 3'-UTR, and middle regions within intron 1 were conserved between
human FGF20 and mouse Fgf20 genes. Double TCF/LEF binding sites, double
EVI1-binding sites, TGIF, PAX4, E47 and AREB6-binding sites were conserved
between human FGF20 promoter and mouse Fgf20 promoter.

PMID: 15944804 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


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