Each nucleic acid member comprises a noncoding sequence present at either the 3'-end or the 5'-end of an RNA transcript (e.g., such as an untranslated region or UTR).

The untranslated sequence can be used to incorporate selenocysteine into non-selenocysteine-containing proteins and polypeptides.

In another representative embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid is provided comprising a coding region encoding a GAA and a GAA 3' untranslated region (UTR), wherein the GAA 3' UTR comprises a deletion therein.

Two variants that differ in their carboxy terminal coding sequence, and one variant that differs in its 3' untranslated sequence only, have also been cloned.

Instead of exon 1, vAFP transcripts use an additional one or two exons located in the 5'-untranslated region of the AFP gene.

The 3' untranslated region of the human prohibitin gene has been isolated for use in a cancer susceptibility screen and as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer.

The lifetime probability of a person developing cancer can now be determined based on an allelic variation found in the 3'UTR of the prohibitin gene.