Complete structure of the human transferrin gene. Comparison with analogous chicken gene and human pseudogene.

The complete structure of the human transferrin gene is presented. This gene has a total size of about 33.5 kb and is organized in 17 exons separated by 16 introns. The chicken ovotransferrin gene has a size of 10.5 kb and is also organized in 17 exons and 16 introns. The analysis of the structure of the two genes confirm, at the gene level, that transferrins originated by a gene duplication phenomenon. Finally, the existence of a new member of the transferrin family, a human transferrin non-processed pseudogene is demonstrated.