Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Library preparation”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 757 records · Page 42Linked to original sources

Molecular cloning and functional heterologous expression of two alleles encoding (S)-N-methylcoclaurine 3'-hydroxylase (CYP80B1), a new methyl jasmonate-inducible cytochrome P-450-dependent mono-oxygenase of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis.

Alkaloids derived from the tetrahydrobenzylisoquinoline alkaloid (S)-N-methylcoclaurine represent a vast and varied structural array of physiologically active molecules. These compounds range from the dimeric bisbenzylisoquinolines, such as the muscle relaxant (+)-tubocurarine, to the powerful anaesthetic opiate morphine, the antimicrobial berberine and the anti-microbial benzo[c]-phenanthridine sanguinarine. The 3'-hydroxylation of (S)-N-methylcoclaurine is a branch point that is the penultimate step in the biosynthesis of the central alkaloidal intermediate (S)-reticuline. This study identified this enzyme as a cytochrome P-450-dependent mono-oxygenase that has until now eluded attempts at identification using in vitro enzyme assays. Two alleles encoding this new enzyme (S)-N-methylcoclaurine 3'-hydroxylase (CYP80B1) were isolated from a cDNA library prepared from poly(A)+ RNA isolated from methyl jasmonate-induced cell-suspension cultures of the California poppy Eschscholzia californica. Partial clones generated by RT-PCR with cytochrome P-450-specific primers were used as hybridization probes. RNA gel-blot hybridization indicated that the transcripts for CYP80B1 accumulate in response to the addition of methyl jasmonate to the cell culture medium. Both alleles were functionally expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells in the presence and absence of the E. californica cytochrome P-450 reductase. The enzyme was found to hydroxylate exclusively (S)-N-methylcoclaurine with a pH optimum of 7.5, temperature optimum of 35 degrees C and K(m) of 15 microns. In addition to the CYP80B1 alleles, another cytochrome P-450 with an inducible transcript (CYP82B1) was isolated and expressed in the same manner, but was not found to be involved in alkaloid biosynthesis in this plant.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

Molecular cloning and functional expression in yeast of CYP76B1, a xenobiotic-inducible 7-ethoxycoumarin O-de-ethylase from Helianthus tuberosus.

In order to obtain plant markers of chemical stress and possible tools for the bio-monitoring of pollution, a protein purification/PCR approach was used to isolate cDNAs of xenobiotic-inducible P450 oxygenases. O-dealkylation of 7-ethoxycoumarin is catalysed in Helianthus tuberosus by cytochromes P450 strongly inducible by a wide range of xenobiotics. Therefore, a 7-ethoxycoumarin O-de-ethylase (ECOD) was purified from induced tuber tissues (Batard et al., 1995). A primer designed from an internal peptide sequence, but also corresponding to a conserved P450 haem-binding region, led to the generation of a gene-specific probe corresponding to a P450 strongly inducible by aminopyrine. Two partial and 98% identical coding sequences were isolated from a cDNA library prepared from aminopyrine-induced tuber. A full-length cDNA was reconstituted by 5'-RACE elongation. The protein deduced from this full-length sequence, with 41.1% amino acid identity to CYP76A1 and high phylogenetic relationship to other CYP76s, was termed CYP76B1. CYP76B1 was expressed in yeast. Microsomes from the transformed yeast catalysed the NADPH-dependent O-dealkylation of 7-ethoxycoumarin. However, protein sequence as well as enzymological data indicated that CYP76B1 does not correspond to the purified ECOD protein. These results confirm previous data and demonstrate that several P450s in H. tuberosus are capable of actively catalysing the O-de-ethylation of ethoxycoumarin. Determination of the steady-state level of CYP76B1 transcripts after slicing tuber tissues and ageing them in water, alone or in the presence of various chemicals, showed that the expression of this P450 was not responsive to mechanical stress, but was strongly induced by chemical treatments. CYP76B1 thus appears to be a good potential marker of chemical stress and of environmental pollution.

7-Alkoxycoumarin O-Dealkylase↗

A gene encoding 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase produces two transcripts: elucidation of a conserved response.

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) promotes ethylene biosynthesis in stems of etiolated pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings by rapidly increasing the expression of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase mRNA and by enhancing the activity of the enzyme. Two cDNA clones encoding ACC synthase, Ps-ACS1 and Ps-ACS2, were isolated from a cDNA library prepared from the apical hooks of etiolated pea seedlings that had been treated with 100 microns IAA for 4 h. While studying the expression pattern of IAA-induced ACC synthase mRNA, we observed that the probe for Ps-ACS1 hybridized to two transcripts of 1.6 and 1.9 kb on RNA gel blots. The shorter transcript accumulated before the longer one did, indicating that it is not a degradation product of the latter. Because a similar observation, namely hybridization of one ACC synthase probe to two transcripts, has also been reported in other species, we investigated the relationship between the 1.6- and 1.9-kb transcripts. DNA gel blot analysis using the entire cDNA as probe and RNA gel blot analysis using the 3'-untranslated region as probe indicated that both transcripts are encoded by the same gene. Oligonucleotide-directed RNase H mapping showed that the transcripts differ in the sequence of their 5'-ends. Using 5'-RACE to obtain the DNA sequence of the shorter, transcript, we determined that the 1.6-kb transcript (Ps-ACS1b) begins within the second exon of the 1.9-kb transcript (Ps-ACS1a) and lacks the first 383 bases. Thus, Ps-ACS1b does not encode a full-length ACC synthase protein. Because the Ps-ACS1b sequence is identical to that of Ps-ACS1a, including proper splicing of the second intron, Ps-ACS1b appears to result from the use of an alternative, internal promoter.

Alternative Splicing↗

Characterization of a tobacco epoxide hydrolase gene induced during the resistance response to TMV.

A clone encoding a putative soluble epoxide hydrolase (EH-1), an enzyme which converts epoxides to diols, was isolated by differential screening of a cDNA library prepared from tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-infected tobacco leaves. To confirm that EH-1 encodes an epoxide hydrolase, the recombinant EH-1 protein produced in bacteria was shown to have high epoxide hydrolase activity in vitro. Infection of resistant but not susceptible tobacco cultivars induced the accumulation of EH-1 transcripts in both the inoculated and uninoculated, systemic leaves. EH-1 expression was also induced in the inoculated and systemic tissues of TMV-infected NahG plants, which are unable to accumulate salicylic acid (SA). However, EH-1 expression in the inoculated leaves of NahG plants was delayed, whilst in the systemic leaves the induction was both later and weaker, compared to that observed in wild-type plants. Furthermore, exogenously applied SA or its functional analog 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic acid (INA) caused a rapid and transient accumulation of EH-1 transcripts, whereas an inactive SA analog did not. Thus, the induction of EH-1 gene expression appears to be regulated by both SA-independent and SA-dependent pathways. Since EH-1 was expressed only in TMV-resistant tobacco after infection, and the encoded enzyme is thought to help metabolize toxic compounds, we propose that EH-1 may play a role in protection from oxidative damage associated with defense responses. It may also play a role in generating signals for activation of certain defense responses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Control of expression of a gene encoding an extensin by phytochrome and a blue light receptor in spores of Adiantum capillus-veneris L.

In the present study, using a newly developed fluorescent differential display technique, we have carried out large-scale screening for genes whose expression was regulated by phytochrome and antagonistically by a blue light receptor in the spores of the fern Adiantum capillus-veneris L. Spores after imbibition were briefly irradiated with red, red/blue or blue light and collected 8 h after the irradiation. Total RNA was isolated from each sample and used to make cDNA with an oligo-dT primer. The cDNA was then used as a template for PCR with the oligo-dT primer and 80 arbitrary primers. The resulting PCR products were analyzed by an automated fluorescent DNA sequencer. Among 8000 displayed bands, we identified 15 up-regulated and four down-regulated bands by red light, and this red light effect was irreversibly reversed by blue light. We cloned one of the up-regulated cDNA fragments and used it to screen a cDNA library prepared from the spores. The isolated insert is predicted to encode Ser-(Pro)n repeats and showed homology with cell wall-associated extensins. The expression of this cDNA was induced 8 h after a red light treatment and the red light induction was photoreversibly prevented by far-red light and photoirreversibly by blue light. The mRNA of this gene was detectable 4 h after red light irradiation and gradually increased in germinating spores.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular cloning and functional expression of O-methyltransferases common to isoquinoline alkaloid and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis.

In cell suspension cultures of the meadow rue Thalictrum tuberosum, biosynthesis of the anti-microbial alkaloid berberine can be induced by addition of methyl jasmonate to the culture medium. The activities of the four methyltransferases involved in the formation of berberine from L-tyrosine are increased in response to elicitor addition. Partial clones generated by RT-PCR with methyltransferase-specific primers were used as hybridization probes to isolate four cDNAs encoding O-methyltransferases from a cDNA library prepared from poly(A)+ RNA isolated from methyl jasmonate-induced cell suspension cultures of T. tuberosum. RNA gel blot hybridization indicated that the transcripts for the methyltransferases accumulated in response to addition of methyl jasmonate to the cell culture medium. The cDNAs were functionally expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells and were shown to have varying and broad substrate specificities. A difference of a single amino acid residue between two of the enzymes was sufficient to alter the substrate specificity. The four cDNAs were expressed either as four homodimers or as six heterodimers by co-infection with all possible combinations of the four recombinant baculoviruses. These 10 isoforms thus produced displayed distinct substrate specificities and in some cases co-infection with two different recombinant baculoviruses led to the O-methylation of new substrates. The substrates that were O-methylated varied in structural complexity from simple catechols to phenylpropanoids, tetrahydrobenzylisoquinoline, protoberberine and tetrahydrophenethylisoquinoline alkaloids, suggesting that some biosynthetic enzymes may be common to both phenylpropanoid and alkaloid anabolism.

Alkaloids↗

A novel myb oncogene homologue in Arabidopsis thaliana related to hypersensitive cell death.

A novel myb oncogene homologue (AtMYB30) has been isolated by differential screening of a cDNA library prepared from Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (X. campestris)-inoculated Arabidopsis thaliana cells cultured in the presence of cycloheximide. AtMYB30 is a single-copy gene, and the encoded protein contains a MYB domain highly homologous to other plant and animal MYB proteins. Analyses of transcript levels in A. thaliana plants, or in cultured A. thaliana cells infected with either virulent or avirulent strains of the pathogens X. campestris and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, showed that maximal levels of transcription of this gene occurred during the hypersensitive response. Furthermore, in A. thaliana mutants affected in the control of cell death initiation (lsd3, lsd4 and lsd5), constitutive expression or expression in lesion-positive plants was observed, while in suppressors of the mutations lsd5 and lsd4, AtMYB30 transcripts did not accumulate. However, AtMYB30 expression could not be detected in the lsd1 mutant, which was hyper-responsive to cell death initiators and unable to limit the extent of cell death, whatever the environmental conditions. The results presented here suggest a strong correlation between AtMYB30 and genetically controlled cell death, with a role in the initiation of cell death rather than in the limitation of its extent. Our results further indicate that the lsd mutants constitute an appropriate genetic model for studying the role of this gene in hypersensitive cell death, and their relation to different steps of the pathway(s) leading to cell death.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Involvement of a novel Arabidopsis phospholipase D, AtPLDdelta, in dehydration-inducible accumulation of phosphatidic acid in stress signalling.

Phospholipid metabolism is involved in plant responses to drought and salinity stress. To investigate the role of phospholipase D (PLD) and its product phosphatidic acid (PtdOH) in stress signalling, we isolated a novel PLD cDNA, designated AtPLDdelta, by screening a cDNA library prepared from dehydrated Arabidopsis thaliana. The AtPLDdelta protein, of 868 amino acids, has a putative catalytic domain and a C2 domain that is involved in Ca2+/phospholipid binding. The AtPLDdelta mRNA accumulated in response to dehydration and high salt stress. Histochemical analysis showed that the AtPLDdelta gene is strongly expressed in the vascular tissues of cotyledons and leaves under dehydration stress conditions. Under normal growth conditions, AtPLDdelta was expressed in roots, leaves, stems and flowers but not in siliques. We showed that dehydration stimulates the accumulation of PtdOH. The accumulation of PtdOH in response to dehydration was significantly suppressed in AtPLDdelta antisense transgenic plants. These results suggest that AtPLDdelta may be involved in PtdOH accumulation in the dehydration stress response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pathogenesis-related protein 10 isolated from hot pepper functions as a ribonuclease in an antiviral pathway.

A hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) cDNA clone encoding pathogenesis-related protein 10 (CaPR-10) was isolated by differential screening of a cDNA library prepared from pepper leaves inoculated with tobacco mosaic virus pathotype (TMV-P0). CaPR-10 transcripts were induced in the incompatible interaction with TMV-P0 or Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv) but not induced in the compatible interaction. Characterization of enzymatic properties of CaPR-10 indicated that the recombinant protein exhibits a ribonucleolytic activity against TMV RNA, as well as against pepper total RNA, and shows its putative antiviral activity in several conditions. The CaPR-10 protein existed at very low level in leaf tissue but was dramatically induced as soon as plants were inoculated with TMV-P0, and this was correlated with the increase of its ribonucleolytic activity. Immunoblot analysis and pull-down assays using proteins extracted from pepper leaves showed that TMV-P0 inoculation led to the phosphorylation of CaPR-10, a modification that should affect its capacity for RNase function. We present data that the induction and subsequent phosphorylation of CaPR-10 increased its ribonucleolytic activity to cleave invading viral RNAs, and this activity should be important to its antiviral pathway during viral attack in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation and characterization of retinoic acid-inducible cDNA clones in F9 cells: one of the early inducible clones encodes a novel protein sharing several highly homologous regions with a Drosophila polyhomeotic protein.

To elucidate regulatory mechanisms triggering early mammalian differentiation, 17 retinoic acid (RA)-inducible clones were isolated from 1.4 x 10(5) plaques of cDNA libraries prepared from mouse embryonal carcinoma F9 cells, using the differential plaque hybridization method. Partial nucleotide sequences of these clones demonstrated that ten clones correspond to known genes. Interestingly, only 2 of the 17 clones are among the previously documented up-regulated genes. Therefore, there are many more unidentified genes up-regulated in the course of RA-induced differentiation of F9 cells. As RNAs hybridizable with one of the seven unidentified clones were induced in F9 cells after 3 h of RA treatment, we chose this 'Rae-28' clone as being representative of developmentally up-regulated unidentified clones and its properties were characterized. We determined the Rae-28 cDNA sequence and deduced the RAE-28 protein structure. The deduced RAE-28 protein shared several motifs and highly homologous regions with a Drosophila polyhomeotic protein. As the Drosophila polyhomeotic gene is involved in regulating morphogenesis, the rae-28 gene may participate in regulating early mammalian development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation and characterization of the cDNA for a Ciona intestinalis RNA binding protein: spatial and temporal expression during development.

A cDNA encoding an RNA binding protein has been isolated from a cDNA library prepared from larvae of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. The putative protein of 162 amino acids contained in the N-terminal region one copy of the consensus sequence RNA binding domain and in the C-terminal region a glycine-rich domain. The in vitro translated protein bound various RNA homopolymers, preferentially polyU, polyA, and polyG, and the binding was affected by increasing ionic strength. Northern blot analysis revealed a single transcript of about 0.7 kb in length that was present during embryonic development with two major peaks of accumulation at gastrula and larval stages. Whole-mount in situ hybridization experiments on embryos at different stages of development showed gene expression mainly in mesenchymal cells and in neural tissue.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Brassica napus soluble epoxide hydrolase (BNSEH1).

Epoxide hydrolase (EC 3.3.2.3) in plants is involved in the metabolism of epoxy fatty acids and in mediating defence responses. We report the cloning of a full-length epoxide hydrolase cDNA (BNSEH1) from oilseed rape (Brassica napus) obtained by screening of a cDNA library prepared from methyl jasmonate induced leaf tissue, and the 5'-RACE technique. The cDNA encodes a soluble protein containing 318 amino acid residues. The identity on the protein level is 85% to an Arabidopsis soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and 50-60% to sEHs cloned from other plants. A 5 x His tag was added to the N-terminus of the BNSEH1 and the construct was over-expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The recombinant protein was recovered at high levels after Ni-agarose chromatography of lysed cell extracts, had a molecular mass of 37 kDa on SDS/PAGE and cross-reacted on Western blots with antibodies raised to a sEH from Arabidopsis thaliana. BNSEH1 was shown to be a monomer by gel filtration analysis. The activity was low towards cis-stilbene oxide but much higher using trans-stilbene oxide as substrate with Vmax of 0.47 micro mol.min.mg-1, Km of 11 micro m and kcat of 0.3 s-1. The optimum temperature of the recombinant enzyme was 55 degrees C and the optimum pH 6-7 for trans-stilbene oxide hydrolysis. The isolation of BNSEH1 will facilitate metabolic engineering of epoxy fatty acid metabolism for functional studies of resistance and seed oil modification in this important oilcrop.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Developmental regulation and tissue-specific localization of calmodulin mRNA in the protochordate Ciona intestinalis.

A full-length cDNA encoding a highly conserved calmodulin was isolated from a cDNA library prepared from hatched larvae of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Sequence analysis has identified a 447 b.p. open reading frame, encoding a putative protein of 149 amino acid residues, with a predicted molecular weight of 16.8 kDa, showing 85-98% identity to known calmodulins. Northern blot analysis revealed a single transcript of about 0.8 kb in length, which was maternally expressed and progressively increased during development, until late tail-bud stage. Whole-mount in situ hybridizations, carried out on embryos at different stages of development, showed that starting from the neurula stage, the C. intestinalis calmodulin (Ci-CaM) expression became restricted to the neuroectoderm and that in larvae it was specifically detected in the nervous system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular analysis of microbial community structure in an arsenite-oxidizing acidic thermal spring.

Electron microscopy (EM), denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rDNA sequencing were used to examine the structure and diversity of microbial mats present in an acid-sulphate-chloride (pH 3.1) thermal (58-62 degrees C) spring in Norris Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA, exhibiting rapid rates of arsenite oxidation. Initial visual assessments, scanning EM and geochemical measurements revealed the presence of three distinct mat types. Analysis of 16S rDNA fragments with DGGE confirmed the presence of different bacterial and archaeal communities within these zones. Changes in the microbial community appeared to coincide with arsenite oxidation activity. Phylogenetic analysis of 1400 bp 16S rDNA sequences revealed that clone libraries prepared from both arsenic redox active and inactive bacterial communities were dominated by sequences phylogenetically related to Hydrogenobacter acidophilus and Desulphurella sp. The appearance of archaeal 16S rDNA sequences coincided with the start of arsenite oxidation, and sequences were obtained showing affiliation with both Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota. The majority of archaeal sequences were most similar to sequences obtained from marine hydrothermal vents and other acidic hot springs, although the level of similarity was typically just 90%. Arsenite oxidation in this system may result from the activities of these unknown archaeal taxa and/or the previously unreported arsenic redox activity of H. acidophilus- or Desulphurella-like organisms. If the latter, arsenite oxidation must be inhibited in the initial high-sulphide zone of the spring, where no change in the distribution of arsenite versus arsenate was observed.

Archaea↗

Isolation, characterization and comparison of bacteria from swine faeces and manure storage pits.

Storage of swine manure is associated with the microbiological production of a variety of odorous chemicals including ammonia, organic acids and alcohols, and sulphides. Although largely the product of microbiological activity, little is known about the microorganisms present in swine manure. In order to gain a better understanding of the types and activities of the microorganisms present, representative strains of microorganisms were isolated from faeces and stored manure slurry, identified, and physiologically characterized. For swine manure slurry samples, total anaerobe colony counts were greatest when a non-selective, habitat simulating medium containing clarified swine manure slurry was used whereas the highest counts for faecal anaerobes were obtained on rumen fluid containing medium. Faecal and slurry samples were also plated onto the appropriate medium containing the antibiotics tetracycline, erythromycin and tylosin (10 micro g ml-1, individually) and the proportional counts of organisms capable of growing in the presence of these antibiotics determined. Randomly selected isolates from the highest dilutions were identified by 16 s rDNA sequence analysis, and selected physiological characteristics were determined. The results of these examinations indicate that the predominant culturable microorganisms from these environments are obligately anaerobic, low mol percentage G + C Gram positive bacteria (Firmicutes) who are members of Clostridial, Eubacterial, and Lactobacillus/Streptococcus phylogenetic groups. Isolates similar to Sporomusa and Flexibacter/Cytophaga/Bacteroides (CFB or Bacteroidetes) groups were also obtained. Although similar overall, faecal and slurry samples differed in bacterial composition. Manure slurry samples were dominated by organisms similar to Clostridium coccoides and Enterococcus species whereas the distribution of species present in faeces appeared much broader. Whereas most of the pure cultures could be assigned to known phylogenetic groupings, few could be identified as known species. Examination of some growth and physiological characteristics of faecal and slurry isolates showed these to be primarily carbohydrate fermenters, although some were able to ferment lactate and amino acids. When the ability of manure and faecal isolates to ferment protein, peptides and amino acids was examined, a relatively small percentage of these were able to do so and most of these fermented carbohydrates in addition to the amino acid sources provided. The predominant amino acid fermenters were most closely related to C. coccoides and C. botulinum, but representatives of the Bacteroides, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus and other phylogenetic groups were also found. The results reported here are compared with those obtained from clone libraries prepared from the same environmental samples.

Amino Acids↗

A novel rat tetraspan protein in cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage.

The tetraspanin/transmembrane 4 superfamily gene superfamily encodes proteins that span the plasma membrane four times. Tetraspan proteins are implicated in proliferation, motility, and differentiation in various cell types, and in some cells they may link plasma membrane proteins into signalling complexes. Using a subtractive cDNA library prepared from oligodendrocytes and their progenitor cells, we have identified Tspan-2 as a member of this superfamily. In situ hybridization analysis revealed robust expression in cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage in comparison with the Plp gene, a well-characterized marker for myelin-forming glia in the CNS. Rat Tspan-2 mRNA is restricted to the nervous system and is detectable by northern blot shortly after birth in the CNS. Subsequently the gene is up-regulated strongly between postnatal day 3 and 10, and expression levels continue to rise up to postnatal day 22. These data indicate that Tspan-2 is likely to play a role in signalling in oligodendrocytes in the early stages of their terminal differentiation into myelin-forming glia and may also function in stabilizing the mature sheath.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Hair follicle has a novel anagen-specific protein, mKAP13.

To identify the anagen hair follicle-specific proteins, we screened the cDNA library prepared from the murine skins of anagen phase by the differential hybridization technique. Fifty-four cDNA clones expressed specifically in anagen phase were isolated, and most were found to correspond to known proteins in the hair follicles. Alternatively, we isolated a cDNA clone encoding a novel protein that possessed an entire open reading frame of 501 base pairs. This protein with a molecular weight of 17.9 kDa has no specific motifs nor significant homology to proteins already reported, although it contains some direct repeats that are often observed in intermediate filament-associated proteins and has a similar amino acid composition as a member of them. Northern blot analysis demonstrates that the transcript of this protein is skin specific, and that it is present in mid- and late anagen but not in catagen, telogen, and early anagen phases. The transcript appears to be expressed specifically in the keratogenous zone of the cortical cells of hair follicles, as exhibited by in situ hybridization. Furthermore, immunohistochemical study confirms that the protein is distributed in the cytoplasms of the keratinizing cortical cells and is undetected in the completely keratinized ones. These results suggest that this protein can be identified as a new member of intermediate filament-associated proteins and is related to the keratinization of the cortical cell layer in mouse hair. Therefore, we have termed this novel protein mKAP13 according to the unified nomenclature.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation and sequencing of a novel tropomyosin isoform preferentially associated with colon cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nonmuscle human tropomyosin (hTM) isoforms have distinct functions and may play important roles in various disease processes. METHODS: In an attempt to identify colon epithelial tropomyosin isoform, a complementary DNA library prepared from a human colon cancer cell line T84 was screened by an oligonucleotide probe complementary to messages of all known hTM isoforms. A novel clone called TC22 was obtained. The amino acid sequence of TC22 isoform is identical to isoform 5 (hTM5) apart from the C terminal domain, amino acids 222-247 coding the exon 9. RESULTS: Northern blot analysis showed that TC22 message is expressed in transformed epithelial cell lines and tumor tissues but not in normal epithelial cells. We developed a monoclonal antibody specific to TC22 isoform (TC22-4). By Western blot and immunoperoxidase assays, we analyzed 105 colonic specimens (fresh frozen and formalin fixed) from 96 patients with colon polyps (hyperplastic) or adenomas with or without dysplasia and cancer. Twenty-one of 22 (95%) of colon cancer specimens showed the presence of TC22, compared with only 1 of the 17 normal colon specimens and none of the 13 hyperplastic polyps (P < 0.0001). As assayed by immunoperoxidase staining, TC22 expression progressively increased in benign adenomatous polyps (35%) and polyps with mild and severe dysplasia (57% and 100%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We cloned and sequenced a novel hTM isoform, TC22, which is strongly associated with colonic neoplasia and carcinoma. TC22 may provide a useful biomarker for surveillance of colon cancer.

Adenoma↗