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Characterization of cDNA for human tripeptidyl peptidase II: the N-terminal part of the enzyme is similar to subtilisin.

Tripeptidyl peptidase II is a high molecular weight serine exopeptidase, which has been purified from rat liver and human erythrocytes. Four clones, representing 4453 bp, or 90% of the mRNA of the human enzyme, have been isolated from two different cDNA libraries. One clone, designated A2, was obtained after screening a human B-lymphocyte cDNA library with a degenerated oligonucleotide mixture. The B-lymphocyte cDNA library and a cDNA library, obtained from human fibroblasts, were rescreened with a 147 bp fragment from the 5' part of the A2 clone, whereby three different overlapping cDNA clones could be isolated. The deduced amino acid sequence, 1196 amino acid residues, corresponding to the longest open reading frame of the assembled nucleotide sequence, was compared to sequences of current databases. This revealed a 56% similarity between the bacterial enzyme subtilisin and the N-terminal part of tripeptidyl peptidase II. The enzyme was found to be represented by two different mRNAs of 4.2 and 5.0 kilobases, respectively, which probably result from the utilization of two different polyadenylation sites. Furthermore, cDNA corresponding to both the N-terminal and C-terminal part of tripeptidyl peptidase II hybridized with genomic DNA from mouse, horse, calf, and hen, even under fairly high stringency conditions, indicating that tripeptidyl peptidase II is highly conserved.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Construction and characterization of cDNA encoding the alpha 2 chain of chicken type IX collagen.

We have isolated and characterized a cDNA encoding the carboxy-terminal half of one of the polypeptide subunits of a novel disulfide-bonded collagen found in hyaline cartilage. This collagen has been given the type assignment type IX, and it has several unusual characteristics. First, the polypeptide subunits are shorter than alpha-chains of the fibrillar collagens types I, II, and III. Second, type IX molecules are heterotrimers of three genetically distinct polypeptide subunits. Third, type IX molecules contain three triple-helical collagenous domains interspersed with noncollagenous domains. When chicken cartilage collagens are extracted with pepsin, type IX collagen is cleaved and gives rise to the triple-helical fragments HMW and LMW. The identification of the cDNA reported here is based on a comparison of the amino acid composition of tryptic peptides derived from LMW with the composition of tryptic peptides predicted from the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA. We also show that the amino-terminal sequence of one of the subunits of LMW is identical with the sequence predicted from the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA. Finally, we demonstrate that the amino-terminal amino acid sequence of a tryptic peptide isolated from one of the subunits of HMW is identical with a sequence predicted from the cDNA. We have given the polypeptide chain encoded by the cDNA reported here the name alpha 2(IX), and we show that it is homologous to the alpha 1(IX) chain previously characterized by us.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A complete cDNA sequence for the major epidermal growth factor binding protein in the male mouse submandibular gland.

The complete cDNA sequence of the major epidermal growth factor binding protein (EGF-BP), isolated from the mouse submandibular gland, has been determined. Oligonucleotide probes complementary to unique, nonconserved, regions of homogeneous preparations of EGF-BP were used to identify the correct cDNA clone from a male mouse submandibular gland cDNA library. The nucleotide sequence codes for a glandular kallikrein that is the main arginine esterase complexed with epidermal growth factor. The mRNA coding for this EGF-BP is estimated at 0.24% of the total mRNA of the adult male mouse submandibular gland, thus representing an abundant member of the kallikrein family in this tissue. In addition, the cDNA sequence defines a putative transcription start site. The reported cDNA sequence is clearly different from, and not an allelic form of, a previously reported cDNA sequence for EGF-BP. The present work reconciles conflicting information in the literature regarding the identity of EGF-BP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparison of cDNA-derived protein sequences of the human fibronectin and vitronectin receptor alpha-subunits and platelet glycoprotein IIb.

The fibronectin receptor (FnR), the vitronectin receptor (VnR), and the platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa complex are members of a family of cell adhesion receptors, which consist of noncovalently associated alpha- and beta-subunits. The present study was designed to compare the cDNA-derived protein sequences of the alpha-subunits of human FnR, VnR, and platelet GP IIb. cDNA clones for the alpha-subunit of the FnR (FnR alpha) were obtained from a human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cell library by using an oligonucleotide probe designed from a peptide sequence of platelet GP IIb. cDNA clones for platelet GP IIb were isolated from a cDNA expression library of human erythroleukemia cells by using antibodies. cDNA clones of the VnR alpha-subunit (VnR alpha) were obtained from the HUVE cell library by using an oligonucleotide probe from the partial cDNA sequence for the VnR alpha. Translation of these sequences showed that the FNR alpha, the VnR alpha, and GP IIb are composed of disulfide-linked large (858-871 amino acids) and small (137-158 amino acids) chains that are posttranslationally processed from a single mRNA. A single hydrophobic segment located near the carboxyl terminus of each small chain appears to be a transmembrane domain. The large chains appear to be entirely extracellular, and each contains four repeated putative Ca2+-binding domains of about 30 amino acids that have sequence similarities to other Ca2+-binding proteins. The identity among the protein sequences of the three receptor alpha-subunits ranges from 36.1% to 44.5%, with the Ca2+-binding domains having the greatest homology. These proteins apparently evolved by a process of gene duplication.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of the cDNA encoding human nucleophosmin and studies of its role in normal and abnormal growth.

A cDNA encoding human nucleophosmin (protein B23) was obtained by screening a human placental cDNA library in lambda gtll first with monoclonal antibody to rat nucleophosmin and then with confirmed partial cDNA of human nucleophosmin as probes. The cDNA had 1311 bp with a coding sequence encoding a protein of 294 amino acids. The identity of the cDNA was confirmed by the presence of encoded amino acid sequences identical with those determined by sequencing pure rat nucleophosmin (a total of 138 amino acids). The most striking feature of the sequence is an acidic cluster located in the middle of the molecule. The cluster consists of 26 Asp/Glu and 1 Phe and Ala. Comparison of human nucleophosmin and Xenopus nucleolar protein NO38 shows 64.3% sequence identity. The N-terminal 130 amino acids of human nucleophosmin also bear 50% identity with that of Xenopus nucleoplasmin. Northern blot analysis of rat liver total RNA with a partial nucleophosmin cDNA as probe demonstrated a homogeneous mRNA band of about 1.6 kb. Similar observations were made in hypertrophic rat liver and Novikoff hepatoma. However, the quantity of nucleophosmin mRNA is 50- and 5-fold higher in Novikoff hepatoma and hypertrophic rat liver, respectively, when compared with normal rat liver. Dot blot analysis also showed a nucleophosmin mRNA ratio of 64:5:1 in the three types of rat liver. When the protein levels were compared with Western blot immunoassays, Novikoff hepatoma showed 20 times more nucleophosmin, while only about 5 times more nucleophosmin was observed in hypertrophic rat liver than in unstimulated normal liver.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Sequencing of full-length cDNA encoding the alpha and beta subunits of human casein kinase II from human platelets and megakaryocytic cells. Expression of the casein kinase IIalpha intronless gene in a megakaryocytic cell line.

Casein kinase II (CKII) is a ubiquitous protein kinase composed of two subunits, alpha and beta, that can use both ATP and GTP as phosphoryl donors. Two genes located on two separate chromosomes were identified for CKIIalpha: one on chromosome 20 band 13 with an approximate size of 20 kb and a second on chromosome 11 band 15.5-p15.4 that is the same size as the cDNA of locus 20 kb (1.2 kb) and does not contain any introns. The two genes differ in four amino acids. Recently, it has been demonstrated that a membrane-associated platelet-derived CKII phosphorylates coagulation factor Va. The mRNA encoding the platelet CKII was isolated from fresh human platelets, and the corresponding cDNAs encoding the alpha and beta subunits of human platelet CKII were produced and sequenced. The cDNA for platelet CKIIalpha was found to be 99.7% homologous to the CKIIalpha intronless gene, having the same characteristic amino acid residues at positions 128, 256, 287, and 351. However, the cDNA of platelet CKIIalpha has a different amino acid at position 236 (Arg --> His), which is not found in the intronless gene. The cDNA of the CKIIbeta subunit was completely identical with the sequence of the CKIIbeta subunit isolated from other tissues. Since platelets arise from megakaryocytes, mRNA was isolated from the megakaryocytic cell line MEG-01 and the cDNA for CKIIalpha was cloned and sequenced. The cDNA was found to be identical to the intronless gene found in platelets. We have also investigated the expression of the intronless gene in several other cell lines. Expression of the intronless gene was only found in cell line MEG-01. Our data demonstrate expression of the CKIIalpha intronless gene in megakaryocytes and platelets.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular Cloning of a cDNA Encoding Copper/Zinc Superoxide Dismutase from Papaya Fruit and Overexpression in Escherichia coli.

A full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) clone encoding a putative copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) of papaya fruit, Carica papaya L. cv. Tainong 2, was amplified according to the polymerase chain reaction technique from cDNA synthesized from fruit messenger RNA. Nucleotide sequence analysis of this cDNA clone revealed that it comprised a complete open reading frame coding for 152 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence showed higher identity (81.6-84.9%) with the sequences of the cytosolic Cu/Zn SODs than those of the chloroplast from other plant species, and no recognizable plastid targeting peptide was found. These suggest that the papaya fruit cDNA clone encodes a cytosolic Cu/Zn SOD. The residues required for coordinating copper (His-45, -47, -62, and -119) and zinc (His-62, -70, and -79 and Asp-82), as well as the two cysteines (56 and 145) that form a single disulfide bond, are conserved as they are among all reported Cu/Zn SOD sequences. In addition, the coding region of Cu/Zn SOD cDNA from papaya was introduced into an expression vetor, pET-20b(+), and transformed into Escherichia coli AD494(DE3)pLysS. A predominant protein band was detected by Coomassie blue staining of native PAGE, and activity staining confirmed the result of Coomassie blue staining. These indicate that this Cu/Zn SOD cDNA clone can overexpress active Cu/Zn SOD enzyme in E. coli.

Journal Article↗

cDNA of a novel mRNA expressed predominantly in mouse kidney.

We examined embryonic carcinoma (EC) cells for a potential prototype molecule of C3, the third component of complement. PCR primers, corresponding to the base sequence derived from the C3 cDNA of several species, were used for PCR amplification of the EC cell cDNA. All the PCR products obtained had the same sequence and showed no sequence homology to C3. Subsequently, cDNA clones were isolated from a mouse liver cDNA library using the PCR product as a probe. Unexpectedly, neither the base sequence of the cDNA clones nor the amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA showed homology to C3, although partial homology was observed to a number of sequences from EST databases. We designated this new clone NCU-G1. Northern hybridization experiments revealed that NCU-G1 is expressed constitutively not only in the mouse fetus but also in various mouse tissues, and is most abundant in the kidney cortex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and expression of an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA encoding a monofunctional aspartate kinase homologous to the lysine-sensitive enzyme of Escherichia coli.

As in many bacterial species, the first enzymatic reaction of the aspartate-family pathway in plants is mediated by several isozymes of aspartate kinase (AK) that are subject to feedback inhibition by the end-product amino acids lysine or threonine. So far, only cDNAs and genes encoding threonine-sensitive AKs have been cloned from plants. These were all shown to encode polypeptides containing two linked activities, namely AK and homoserine dehydrogenase (HSD), similar to the Escherichia coli thrA gene encoding a threonine-sensitive bifunctional AK/HSD isozyme. In the present report, we describe the cloning of a new Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA that is relatively highly homologous to the E. coli lysC gene encoding the lysine-sensitive AK isozyme. Moreover, similar to the bacterial lysine-sensitive AK, the polypeptide encoded by the present cDNA is monofunctional and does not contain and HSD domain. These observations imply that our cloned cDNA encodes a lysine-sensitive AK. Southern blot hybridization detected a single gene highly homologous to the present cDNA, plus an additional much less homologous gene. This was confirmed by the independent cloning of an additional Arabidopsis cDNA encoding a lysine-sensitive AK (see accompanying paper). Northern blot analysis suggested that the gene encoding this monofunctional AK cDNA is abundantly expressed in most if not all tissues of Arabidopsis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation of novel differentially expressed genes related to human glioma using cDNA microarray and characterizations of two novel full-length genes.

Identification of the genes that are differentially expressed between brain tumor and normal brain tissues is important for understanding the molecular basis of these nerve system tumors and for defining possible targets for therapeutic intervention. This investigation is intended to obtain differentially expressed genes related to human glioma using cDNA microarray. Total RNA was extracted from human glioma specimens and normal brain tissues, and mRNA was obtained by oligotex chromatography. The cDNA microarray contains 4366 novel cDNA clones. The results of hybridization were scanned using computer system. Two genes selected from the results of cDNA microarray hybridization were subsequently analyzed by bio-informatic approach, Northern blot, in situ hybridization and radiation hybridization. We demonstrated that at a differentially expressed ration of two to three times, 15 cDNA clones were considered differentially expressed. Two novel full-length genes were selected for further investigation, one named human PKIbeta gene (clone 436F11, GenBank with accession number: AF225513) was over-expressed in normal brain tissues and the other named human ribosomal protein L14.22 gene (clone 507E08, GenBank with accession number: AF329277) was over-expressed in gliomas. Furthermore, the 436F11 gene was located on 6q21-q23 between the D6S304 and D6S2156 markers, while the 507E08 gene was located between the D14S1066 and D14S265 markers. We realized that cDNA microarray technology can be successfully applied to identify differentially expressed genes in human glioma. This approach is superior to routine representational difference analysis, suppression subtractive hybridization and Northern blot for detection and isolation of differentially expressed genes in different tissues. At present, we have discovered two novel full-length genes related to human glioma and their characterizations have been partially clarified.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular cloning, expression and characterization of cDNA encoding a mouse alpha1a-adrenoceptor.

1. In this study, we have cloned, expressed, and characterized an alpha1a-adrenoceptor gene from the mouse. We designed oligonucleotide PCR primers complementary to regions of the rat alpha1a-adrenoceptor sequence and amplified cDNA fragments from total RNA of mouse cerebral cortex, liver and kidney by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). 2. Both the nucleotide and deduced peptide sequences of the cDNA showed high sequence identity with those of cloned alpha1a-adrenoceptors from other species. The cDNA clone had an open reading frame of 1398 nucleotides encoding a 466 amino acid peptide which had 97%, 92% and 90% identity with the deduced amino acid sequences of the rat, human and bovine alpha1a-adrenoceptor, respectively. 3. The amplified mouse cDNA was inserted into a mammalian expression vector pcDNA3.1(+) and expressed in COS-1 cells. The pharmacological properties of the mouse cDNA clone were examined in radioligand binding studies and functional assays. The expressed mouse protein had a high affinity for [3H]-prazosin (Kd = 0.48 nM) and pattern of affinity for antagonists in competition studies that is similar to that of the rat alpha1a-adrenoceptor. Chloroethylclonidine (CEC) could slowly alkylate the expressed protein, with a rate similar to that of the rat alpha1a-adrenoceptor. 4. The expressed receptors were able to mediate noradrenaline (NA) stimulation of the production of inositol phosphates in COS-1 cells, consistent with coupling to phospholipase C. This response to NA could be reversed by pretreatment of the transfected cells with prazosin. 5. Based on the above evidence, we concluded that the cloned cDNA is that of the mouse alpha1a-adrenoceptor.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Rat liver beta-glucuronidase. cDNA cloning, sequence comparisons and expression of a chimeric protein in COS cells.

A cDNA for rat liver beta-glucuronidase was isolated, its sequence determined and its expression after transfection into COS cells studied. The deduced amino acid sequence of the rat liver clone showed 77% homology with that from the cDNA for human placental beta-glucuronidase and 47% homology with that deduced from the cDNA for Escherichia coli beta-glucuronidase. Several differences were found between the cDNA from rat liver and that previously reported from rat preputial gland. Only one change leads to an amino acid difference in the mature enzyme. A chimeric clone was constructed by using a fragment encoding the first 18 amino acid residues of the signal sequence from the human placental cDNA clone and a fragment from the rat clone encoding four amino acid residues of the signal sequence, all 626 amino acid residues of the mature rat enzyme, and all of the 3' untranslated region. After transfection into COS cells the chimeric clone expressed beta-glucuronidase activity that was specifically immunoprecipitated by antibody to rat beta-glucuronidase. The Mr value of 76,000 of the expressed gene product was characteristic of the glycosylated rat enzyme. It was proteolytically processed in COS cells to Mr 75,000 6 h after metabolic labelling. At least 50% of the expressed enzyme was secreted at 60 h post-transfection, but the secreted enzyme did not undergo proteolytic processing. These results provide evidence that the partial cDNA isolated from a rat liver library contains the complete coding sequence for the mature rat liver enzyme and that the chimeric signal sequence allows normal biosynthesis and processing of the transfected rat liver enzyme in COS cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mouse UDP-GlcNAc: dolichyl-phosphate N-acetylglucosaminephosphotransferase. Molecular cloning of the cDNA, generation of anti-peptide antibodies and chromosomal localization.

A cDNA encoding UDP-GlcNAc-dolichyl-phosphate N-acetylglucosaminephosphotransferase (GPT; EC 2.7.8.15), an enzyme that catalyses the first step in the synthesis of dolichol-linked oligosaccharides, was isolated from mRNA prepared from mouse mammary glands. The cDNA contains an open reading frame that codes for a protein of 410 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 46.472 kDa. Mouse GPT has two copies of a putative dolichol-recognition sequence that has so far been identified in all eukaryotic enzymes which interact with dolichol, and four consensus sites for asparagine-linked glycosylation. It shows a high degree of conservation with yeast and hamster GPTs at the amino acid level. The mouse GPT cDNA recognized a single mRNA species of about 2 kb in mouse mammary glands when used as a probe in Northern blot analysis. An antiserum raised against a 15-residue peptide, derived from the predicted amino acid sequence of the cloned mouse cDNA, specifically precipitated the activity of GPT from solubilized mouse mammary gland microsomes, and detected a protein of about 48 kDa on Western blot. This size is in good agreement with that predicted from the cDNA sequence, and also with that (46 and 50 kDa) of purified bovine GPT. With the use of a panel of mouse/hamster somatic-cell hybrids and a specific probe derived from the 3'-non-coding region of the mouse cDNA, the GPT gene was mapped to mouse chromosome 17.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Sequence of a novel cytochrome CYP2B cDNA coding for a protein which is expressed in a sebaceous gland, but not in the liver.

The major phenobarbital-inducible rat hepatic cytochromes P-450, CYP2B1 and CYP2B2, are the paradigmatic members of a cytochrome P-450 gene subfamily that contains at least seven additional members. Specific oligonucleotide probes for these genomic members of the CYP2B subfamily were used to assess their tissue-specific expression. In Northern-blot analysis a probe specific to gene 4 (which is designated now as CYP2B12) hybridized to a single mRNA present in the preputial gland, an organ which is used as a model for sebaceous glands, but did not hybridize to mRNA isolated from the liver or from five other tissues of untreated or Aroclor 1254-treated rats. The cDNA sequence for the CYP2B12 RNA was determined from overlapping cDNA clones and contained a long open reading frame of 1476 bp. The nucleotide sequence of the CYP2B12 cDNA was 85% similar to the sequence of the CYP2B1 cDNA in its coding region and was different from any CYP2B cDNA characterized until now. The cDNA-derived primary structure of the CYP2B12 protein contains a signal sequence for its insertion into the endoplasmic reticulum and the putative haem-binding site characteristic of cytochromes P-450. A part of the potential haem pocket of CYP2B12 was identical with a similar structure in a bacterial protocatechuate dioxygenase. In immunoblot analysis of preputial-gland microsomes, antibodies against CYP2B1 recognized a single abundant protein with a lower apparent molecular mass than that of CYP2B1. Our results demonstrate that the CYP2B12 protein has the potential to be enzymically active and are the first demonstration that a member of the CYP2B subfamily is expressed exclusively and at high levels in an extrahepatic organ.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The cDNA cloning of conglutinin and identification of liver as a primary site of synthesis of conglutinin in members of the Bovidae.

Bovine conglutinin is a collagen-like, C-type, plasma lectin which belongs to the group of proteins called 'collectins'. Two inosine-containing oligonucleotides were synthesized, based on the published protein sequence for bovine conglutinin [Lee, Leiby, Allar, Paris, Lerch and Okarma (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 2715-2723], and PCR on target DNA from a bovine liver lambda gt 11 cDNA library yielded a product of the expected size of 210 bp. Screening of the library with this cDNA fragment identified a single positive clone, with an insert of 0.9 kb, coding for bovine conglutinin from residue 70 to the C-terminus. The 5' cDNA sequence, encompassing 150 bp of the 5' non-translated sequence plus the sequence encoding the leader peptide and the N-terminal residues 1-70, was completed by the use of PCR techniques. The cDNA sequence of bovine conglutinin showed 86% identity with that of bovine lung surfactant protein D (SP-D), and the derived amino acid sequence of bovine conglutinin showed 78% identity with that of bovine SP-D, which included complete identity of the leader-peptide sequences. The amino acid sequence derived from the cDNA sequence differs from the published protein sequence at four positions. Northern-blot analysis on total RNA, purified from various tissues from cattle, sheep, humans, rats and mice, showed that a strong signal of approx. 1.8 kb is present in bovine liver RNA. A weak signal of similar size was also observed in sheep liver, but not in human, rat and mouse livers. A weak signal, also of 1.8 kb, is present in the lung RNAs of all the species tested. The signals from the lung tissues are likely to be due to the cross-hybridization of the bovine conglutinin cDNA to the SP-D mRNAs of the respective species. The finding of significant signals in only the bovine and sheep liver RNA samples is indicative that serum conglutinin may be present in significant amounts only in members of the Bovidae (the family encompassing cattle, antelopes, sheep and goats) and closely related species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and characterization of a cDNA representing a putative complement-regulatory plasma protein from barred sand bass (Parablax neblifer).

It has been demonstrated previously that plasma from a number of vertebrate species including the phylogenetically old barred sand bass possesses molecules that cleave the alpha'-chain of the activated third (C3b) and fourth (C4b) components of the human complement system. A specific protease and a cofactor protein were identified to be responsible for this cleavage. The cofactor activity in sand bass correlated with a 110 kDa polypeptide chain of a 360 kDa plasma protein. The evolutionary conservation was probed at the cDNA level and subsequently a cDNA clone of barred sand bass was isolated that represents a protein with structural similarity to mammalian complement-regulatory proteins. The cDNA (SB1) was identified by immunoscreening of a sand bass liver expression library using affinity-purified IgG antibodies raised against the isolated 110 kDa material. The cDNA is 3397 bp in size and the open reading frame represents a protein of 1053 amino acid residues with a hydrophobic signal peptide indicative of a secreted protein. The calculated mass of the mature protein (SBP1) is 115.2 kDa which is in good agreement with the molecular mass of 110 kDa determined for the sand bass serum protein. Similarly to mammalian complement-regulatory proteins, the protein deduced from the sand bass cDNA is organized into short consensus repeats (SCR). It consists of 17 SCRs, of which SCRs 2, 12 and 16 exhibit significant homology to SCRs 2, 15 and 19 of human factor H, and SCRs 11, 12 and 13 have homology to SCRs 1, 2 and 3 of human C4b-binding protein. For the first time a complete cDNA representing a putative complement-regulatory protein which is structurally related to mammalian complement proteins has been isolated from a bony fish.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PCR-based cloning of the full-length Neurospora eukaryotic initiation factor 5A cDNA: polyhistidine-tagging and overexpression for protein affinity binding.

Eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A) is the only cellular protein known to contain a hypusine residue that is formed by transferring the aminobutyl moiety from spermidine to a specific lysine residue, followed by hydroxylation at the aminobutyl group. A simple PCR-based strategy was developed to obtain a full-length cDNA of Neurospora crassa eIF-5A. The strategy consists of (i) the design of a pair of key primers (21-mer) based on the highly conserved eIF-5A cDNA domains known in other species, (ii) PCR amplification of Neurospora cDNA using the two key primers to obtain the core sequence for the design of core primers, and (iii) combined use of the key primers, core primers and the universal primers, T3 and T7, to amplify the target sequence in a Neurospora cDNA library. The longest cDNA obtained was cloned into pBlueScript phagemid, and sequence analysis indicated that it encodes a polypeptide of 163 amino acid residues with a codon usage preference characteristic of abundant Neurospora genes. The Neurospora polypeptide showed 59% and 67% identity with human and yeast eIF-5A precursor protein respectively. We subcloned the Neurospora eIF-5A cDNA into pQE-30, which introduces six adjacent histidine residues to the N-terminus of the recombinant protein. The resulting plasmid, pQTy21, was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and the soluble polyhistidine-tagged protein was purified by metal chelation chromatography. We obtained about 60 mg of purified eIF-5A precursor from 1 litre of culture in a single step using a Ni(II)-nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)-agarose column. The histidine-tagged eIF-5A precursor protein could be recognized by anti-Neurospora crassa 21 kDa protein serum raised against wild-type eIF-5A precursor and could serve as the substrate protein for deoxyhypusine synthase. Using the histidine-tagged recombinant protein and the Ni(II)-NTA-agarose column, we constructed a protein affinity column and demonstrated an affinity binding between eIF-5A precursor and deoxyhypusine synthase in the presence of NAD+. One-step eIF-5A precursor affinity-column chromatography could lead to a 30-fold purification of deoxyhypusine synthase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

cDNA and genomic cloning and expression of the P48 monocytic differentiation/activation factor, a Mycoplasma fermentans gene product.

P48 is a 48 kDa monocytic differentiation/activation factor previously purified from the conditioned medium of the Reh human pre-B cell leukaemia cell line. It induces growth arrest and differentiation of HL-60 human promyelocytic leukaemia cells along the monocytic pathway and the production of the cytokines interleukin 1, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 6 in human monocytes and monocytic cell lines. The cDNA for P48 was cloned from Reh cellular RNA using 3' reverse amplification of cDNA ends. Southern blot probing with P48 cDNA revealed hybridization with DNA from Reh and Molt-4 cells, but not with DNA from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Subsequent studies using PCR and Southern analysis revealed P48 sequences in DNA isolated from Mycoplasma fermentans but not M. hominis, M.iowae, M.synoviae or M.lypophilum. Although initial studies using Mycoplasma culture and hybridization techniques had failed to reveal Mycoplasma infection in our Reh and Molt-4 cell lines, subsequent PCR studies using Mycoplasma genus-specific rRNA primrs revealed Mycoplasma sequences in these cell lines. Using the P48 cDNA probe, we isolated a genomic clone from M. fermentans DNA which was found to be 98.5% identical with the P48 cDNA clone, and the deduced amino acid sequence agreed with N-terminal microsequencing data for P48 protein purified from the Reh cell line conditioned medium. The 5' end of the gene has a number of consensus sequences characteristic of prokaryotic genes, and the deduced amino acid sequence has a number of features suggesting that P48 is a lipoprotein. The P48 cDNA was expressed in pMAL in Escherichia coli, and the 60 kDa expressed fusion protein was found to react with anti-P48 antibodies on Western blots. This is consistent with a pMAL fusion protein representing the sum of the 42 kDa maltose-binding protein and 18 kDa of P48 recombinant protein, suggesting that native P48 has significant post-translational modification. Consistent with this, Northern blot studies revealed a single 1 kb transcript. The recombinant fusion protein was found to possess anti-proliferative activity against HL-60 cells, and antibodies against recombinant P48 were found to block the biological activity of native P48 isolated from conditioned medium. These studies demonstrate that P48, a molecule with immunomodulatory and haematopoietic differentiation activities, is derived from M. fermentans or a closely related species. P48 may be important in the pathophysiology of Mycoplasma infections and may be useful in dissecting the mechanisms involved in mammalian haematopoietic cell differentiation, immune function and cytokine biosynthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗