Genomic structure of NK4 and V9 and V9 caspase homology. Exon and intron sizes are shown in bp. (A) Genomic structure ofNK4 is shown with sizes of the two splice variants of exon 4 indicated. The location of marker D16S3082 within intron 3, and an Alu repeat within intron 6 are shown. (B) Genomic structure of V9 is shown with sizes of the two splice variants of exon 2 indicated. (C) Conserved residues of caspase family present in V9 are shown.(○) The P1 aspartate-binding residues; (•) catalytic residues in the amino acid sequence of 7 caspase family members and the putative protein sequence V9 encoding caspase homology. The conserved catalytic pentapeptide characteristic of the caspase family is boxed.
