Genomics
The gene expresses two transcript variants. In humans, the gene CYP19, located on chromosome 15q21.1, encodes the aromatase enzyme. The gene has nine coding exons and a number of alternative non-coding first exons that regulate tissue specific expression.
CYP19 is present in an early-diverging chordate, the cephalochordate amphioxus (the Florida lancelet, Branchiostoma floridae), but not in the earlier diverging tunicate Ciona intestinalis. Thus, the aromatase gene evolved early in chordate evolution and does not appear to be present in nonchordate invertebrates (e.g. insects, molluscs, echinoderms, sponges, corals). However, estrogens may be synthesized in some of these organisms, via other unknown pathways.
Read more about this topic: Aromatase