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The structure of the gene encoding human hexabrachion (tenascin) has been determined from overlapping clones isolated from a human genomic bacteriophage library. The genomic inserts were characterized by restriction mapping, Southern blot analysis, PCR, and DNA sequencing. The coding region of the hexabrachion gene spans approximately 80 kilobases of DNA and consists of 27 exons separated by 26 introns. The exon-intron structure supports a hypothesis based on the cDNA sequence that the hexabrachion gene is an assembly of DNA modules that are also found elsewhere in the genome. Single exons may encode a module, a portion of a module, or a group of modules. The 15 type III units similar to those found in fibronectin are each encoded either by a single exon or by two exons interrupted by an intron. All type III units known to be spliced out of the smaller forms of the protein are encoded by one exon. The fibrinogen-like domain of 210 amino acids is encoded by five exons. The 14.5 epidermal growth factor-like repeats are all encoded by a single exon.

We have cloned and sequenced two cDNA molecules that code for parts of two forms of human hexabrachion. The smaller clone has a sequence that corresponds to the previously published sequence of a cDNA clone coding for a part of chicken hexabrachion [Jones, F. S., Burgoon, M. P., Hoffman, S., Crossin, K. L., Cunningham, B. A. & Edelman, G. M. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85, 2186-2190]. It has eight consecutive domains similar to the type III homology units from fibronectin, several epidermal growth factor repeats, and a domain similar to the beta and gamma chains of fibrinogen. The larger clone has 5' and 3' ends that are identical to the smaller clone but also has an alternatively spliced 1.9-kilobase internal segment. The unique segment contains remarkable repeats of potential glycosylation sites and an additional seven type III homology units.