The nucleotide sequence of a rat liver glutathione S-transferase subunit cDNA clone

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of a cloned cDNA derived from liver poly(A) RNA of pentobarbital-treated rats encoding a glutathione S-transferase subunit. This cDNA clone pGTR261 contains one open reading frame of 222 amino acids, a complete 3' noncoding region, and 63 nucleotides in the 5' noncoding region. The cloned DNA hybridizes to rat poly(A) RNA in a tissue-specific fashion, with strong signals to liver and kidney poly(A) RNA(s) of approximately 1100 and approximately 1400 nucleotides in size but little or no hybridization to poly(A) RNAs from heart, lung, seminal vesicles, spleen, or testis under stringent conditions. Our sequence covers the cDNA sequence of pGST94 which contains a partial coding sequence for a liver glutathione S-transferase subunit of Ya size. Comparison of sequences with our earlier clone pGTR112 suggests that there are at least two mRNA species coding for two different subunits of the Ya (Mr = 25,600) subunit family with very limited amino acid substitutions mainly of conserved polarity. The divergent 3' noncoding sequences should be useful molecular probes in differentiating these two different but otherwise very similar subunits in induction and genomic structure analyses. Our results suggest that tissue-specific expression of the glutathione S-transferase subunits represented by the sequences of pGTR261 and pGTR112 may occur at or prior to the level of RNA processing.     

The sequence of a cloned cDNA for the beta subunit of bovine thyrotropin predicts a protein containing both NH2-and COOH-terminal extensions

Cloned cDNAs containing sequences coding for the beta subunit of bovine thyrotropin have been identified. The complete nucleotide sequence of the largest of the beta subunit cDNA inserts has been determined. This cDNA contains 35 nucleotides from the 5' untranslated region of thyrotropin beta subunit mRNA and 60 nucleotides coding for an NH2-terminal precursor segment. This is followed by 339 nucleotides which code for the published amino acid sequence of the thyrotropin beta subunit. Following the 339 nucleotide beta subunit coding sequence, no termination codon is encountered for another 15 nucleotides. Thus, the cDNA codes for a thyrotropin beta subunit containing an additional 5 amino acids at the COOH terminus. The cDNA also contains 82 nucleotides of 3' untranslated sequence followed by a short poly(A) segment. Comparison of the bovine cDNA sequence to the recently described mouse thyrotropin beta subunit cDNA sequence reveals considerable homology throughout the coding sequence, including the COOH-terminal extension. These findings suggest the possibility that a thyrotropin beta subunit precursor is processed at both the NH2 and COOH termini.     

Isolation of a cDNA clone for a catalytic subunit of Torpedo marmorata acetylcholinesterase

We have constructed a cDNA library from Torpedo marmorata electric organ poly(A+) RNA in the lambda phage expression vector lambda gt11. This library has been screened with polyclonal anti-acetylcholinesterase antibodies. One clone, lambda AChE1, produced a fusion protein which was recognized by the antibodies and which prevented the binding of native acetylcholinesterase in an enzymatic immune assay. These results indicate that lambda AChE1 contains a cDNA insert coding for a part of a catalytic subunit of Torpedo acetylcholinesterase. The 200-base-pair cDNA insert hybridized to three mRNAs (14.5, 10.5 and 5.5 kb) from Torpedo electric organs. These mRNAs were also detected in Torpedo electric lobes.     

Analysis of several bovine lutropin beta subunit cDNAs reveals heterogeneity in nucleotide sequence

Several, independent lutropin beta subunit cDNA clones have been isolated from a lambda gt-11 pituitary cDNA library. The complete nucleotide sequence of four clones was determined. A number of single nucleotide differences were detected including three changes within the coding sequence. One of these nucleotide changes resulted in a change in the predicted amino acid sequence, while two did not. These changes may reflect heterogeneity in the animals from which pituitaries were obtained, or they may reflect errors which occurred during the construction or cloning of the cDNA. Two other differences in nucleotide sequence suggest differences in the processing of precursor mRNAs. One difference involves the deletion of three nucleotides from the coding sequence of one of the clones. This probably reflects the use of alternate splicing sites at intron-exon boundaries. The other likely processing difference is reflected by the fact that one of the clones contains a much longer 3' untranslated region than the other clones. This difference probably arose due to a single nucleotide difference leading to selection of an alternate polyadenylation site.     

Amino acid sequence of the a subunit of human factor XIII

Factor XIII is a plasma protein that plays an important role in the final stages of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. The complete amino acid sequence of the a subunit of human factor XIII was determined by a combination of cDNA cloning and amino acid sequence analysis. A lambda gtll cDNA library prepared from human placenta mRNA was screened with an affinity-purified antibody against the a subunit of human factor XIII and then with a synthetic oligonucleotide probe that coded for a portion of the amino acid sequence present in the activation peptide of the a subunit. Six positive clones were identified and shown to code for the a subunit of factor XIII by DNA sequence analysis. A total of 3831 base pairs was determined by sequencing six overlapping cDNA clones. This DNA sequence contains a 5' noncoding region or a region coding for a portion of a pro-piece or leader sequence, the mature protein (731 amino acids), a stop codon (TGA), a 3' noncoding region (1535 nucleotides), and a poly(A) tail (10 nucleotides). When the a subunit of human factor XIII was digested with cyanogen bromide, 11 peptides were isolated by gel filtration and reverse-phase HPLC. Amino acid sequence analyses of these peptides were performed with an automated sequenator, and 363 amino acid residues were identified. These amino acid sequences were in complete agreement with those predicted from the cDNA. The a subunit of factor XIII contained the active site sequence of Tyr-Gly-Gln-Cys-Trp, which is identical with that of tissue transglutaminase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Complete nucleotide sequence of ovine alpha-lactalbumin mRNA

The nucleotide sequence of ovine alpha-lactalbumin mRNA has been determined by chemical sequencing of two cDNA recombinant plasmids and a primer extension product. Ovine alpha-lactalbumin mRNA contains 723 nucleotides (excluding the poly(A) tail), with a 5' non-coding region of 26 nucleotides, followed by the 426 nucleotides of the coding region which determines a sequence signal of 19 amino acid residues and the 123 amino acid residues of mature alpha-lactalbumin. The coding region is followed by a 3' untranslated sequence of 271 nucleotides. The derived amino acid sequence of ovine pre-alpha-lactalbumin differs from that of its bovine counterpart by 8 amino acid substitutions, all but one originating from single mutations. Comparison of sequences of guinea pig, rat and human alpha-lactalbumin mRNAs with their ovine and bovine counterparts has revealed that these molecules have rapidly evolved. The highest degree of conservation was observed in the region coding for the mature protein and corresponds essentially to sequences which interact with UDP-galactosyltransferase and Ca2+ ions.     

Primary structure of acetylcholinesterase: implications for regulation and function

A cDNA encoding acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (EC 3.1.1.7) from Torpedo californica was isolated and from its nucleotide sequence the entire amino acid sequence of the processed protein and a portion of the leader peptide has been deduced. Approximately 70% of the tryptic peptides from the catalytic subunit of the 11 S form have been sequenced, and a comparison of the peptide sequences with the sequence inferred from the cDNA suggests that the cDNA sequence derives from mRNA for the 11 S form of the enzyme. The amino acid sequence is preceded by a hydrophobic leader peptide and contains an open reading frame encoding for 575 amino acids characteristic of a secreted globular protein. Eight cysteines, most of which are disulfide linked, are found along with four potential sites of N-linked glycosylation. The active-site serine is located at residue 200. Local homology is found with other serine hydrolases in the vicinity of the active site, but the enzyme shows striking global homology with the COOH-terminal portion of thyroglobulin. Further comparison of the amino acid sequences of the individual enzyme forms with other cDNA clones that have been isolated should resolve the molecular basis for polymorphism of the AChE species.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of a cDNA for a rat liver glutathione S-transferase Yb subunit.

We have isolated a Yb-subunit cDNA clone from a GSH S-transferase (GST) cDNA library made from rat liver polysomal poly(A) RNAs. Sequence analysis of one of these cDNA, pGTR200, revealed an open reading frame of 218 amino acids of Mr = 25,915. The deduced sequence is in agreement with the 19 NH2-terminal residues for GST-A. The sequence of pGTR200 differs from another Yb cDNA, pGTA/C44 by four nucleotides and two amino acids in the coding region, thus revealing sequence microheterogeneity. The cDNA insert in pGTR200 also contains 36 nucleotides in the 5' noncoding region and a complete 3' noncoding region. The Yb subunit cDNA shares very limited homology with those of the Ya or Yc cDNAs, but has relatively higher sequence homology to the placental subunit Yp clone pGP5. The mRNA of pGTR200 is not expressed abundantly in rat hearts and seminal vesicles. Therefore, the GST subunit sequence of pGTR200 probably represents a basic Yb subunit. Genomic DNA hybridization patterns showed a complexity consistent with having a multigene family for Yb subunits. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of the Ya, Yb, Yc, and Yp subunits revealed significant conservation of amino acids (approximately 29%) throughout the coding sequences. These results indicate that the rat GSTs are products of at least four different genes that may constitute a supergene family.     

Acetylcholinesterase from the invertebrate Ciona intestinalis is capable of assembling into asymmetric forms when co-expressed with vertebrate collagenic tail peptide

To learn more about the evolution of the cholinesterases (ChEs), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase in the vertebrates, we investigated the AChE activity of a deuterostome invertebrate, the urochordate Ciona intestinalis, by expressing in vitro a synthetic recombinant cDNA for the enzyme in COS-7 cells. Evidence from kinetics, pharmacology, molecular biology, and molecular modeling confirms that the enzyme is AChE. Sequence analysis and molecular modeling also indicate that the cDNA codes for the AChE(T) subunit, which should be able to produce all three globular forms of AChE: monomers (G(1)), dimers (G(2)), and tetramers (G(4)), and assemble into asymmetric forms in association with the collagenic subunit collagen Q. Using velocity sedimentation on sucrose gradients, we found that all three of the globular forms are either expressed in cells or secreted into the medium. In cell extracts, amphiphilic monomers (G(1)(a)) and non-amphiphilic tetramers (G(4)(na)) are found. Amphiphilic dimers (G(2)(a)) and non-amphiphilic tetramers (G(4)(na)) are secreted into the medium. Co-expression of the catalytic subunit with Rattus norvegicus collagen Q produces the asymmetric A(12) form of the enzyme. Collagenase digestion of the A(12) AChE produces a lytic G(4) form. Notably, only globular forms are present in vivo. This is the first demonstration that an invertebrate AChE is capable of assembling into asymmetric forms. We also performed a phylogenetic analysis of the sequence. We discuss the relevance of our results with respect to the evolution of the ChEs in general, in deuterostome invertebrates, and in chordates including vertebrates.     

cDNA-derived amino acid sequence of the 86-kDa subunit of the Ku antigen

The Ku antigen is a DNA-associated nuclear protein recognized by sera from patients with autoimmune diseases. It consists of two polypeptides of 86 and 70 kDa. cDNA clones encoding the 86-kDa subunit of the Ku antigen were isolated by probing lambda gt11 recombinant cDNA expression libraries with a monoclonal antibody specific for this protein. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA comprises 732 amino acids and corresponds to a protein with molecular weight of 81.914. Nineteen residues at the NH2 terminus determined by protein sequencing corresponded to the sequence deduced from the cDNA. The predicted amino acid sequence contains a region with repeating leucine residues similar to the "leucine zipper" structure observed in the c-myc, v-myc, and c-fos oncogene products. The largest cDNA hybridized to 2.7- and 3.4-kilobase poly(A)+ mRNAs from HeLa cells. The cDNA clones expressed fusion proteins immunoreactive with the monoclonal antibody and sera from patients with autoimmune diseases.     

Molecular cloning of cDNA of S100 alpha subunit mRNA

The primary structure of the bovine S-100 alpha mRNA on the basis of molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the cDNA are described. The sequence is composed of 532 bp which include the 282 bp of the complete coding region, 89 bp at the 5'-noncoding region, 161 bp at the 3'-noncoding region, polyadenylation signal, ATTAAA and poly(A) tail. Northern blot analysis shows that the size of S-100 alpha mRNA is about 700-800 bases long and a single mRNA occurs in bovine brain. Bovine brain contains both S100 alpha and beta subunits and their mRNAs. In contrast, the rat brain contains only S100 beta subunit and its mRNA.     

Sequence analysis of the large and small subunits of human ribonucleotide reductase.

We have isolated and sequenced overlapping cDNA clones from a breast carcinoma cDNA library containing the entire coding region of both the R1 and R2 subunits of the human ribonucleotide reductase gene. The coding region of the human R1 subunit comprises 2376 nucleotides and predicts a polypeptide of 792 amino acids (calculated molecular mass 90,081). The sequence of this subunit is almost identical to the equivalent mouse ribonucleotide reductase subunit with 97.7% homology between the mouse and human R1 subunit amino acid sequences. The coding region of the human R2 subunit of ribonucleotide reductase comprises 1170 nucleotides and predicts a polypeptide of 389 amino acids (calculated molecular mass 44,883), which is one amino acid shorter than the equivalent mouse subunit. The human and mouse R2 subunits display considerable homology in their carboxy-terminal amino acid sequences, with 96.3% homology downstream of amino acid 68 of the human and mouse R2 proteins. However, the amino-terminal portions of these two proteins are more divergent in sequence, with only 69.2% homology in the first 68 amino acids.     

Complementary DNA and derived amino acid sequence of the alpha subunit of human complement protein C8: evidence for the existence of a separate alpha subunit messenger RNA

The entire amino acid sequence of the alpha subunit (Mr 64,000) of the eighth component of complement (C8) was determined by characterizing cDNA clones isolated from a human liver cDNA library. Two clones with overlapping inserts of net length 2.44 kilobases (kb) were isolated and found to contain the entire alpha coding region [1659 base pairs (bp)]. The 5' end consists of an untranslated region and a leader sequence of 30 amino acids. This sequence contains an apparent initiation Met, signal peptide, and propeptide which ends with an arginine-rich sequence that is characteristic of proteolytic processing sites found in the pro form of protein precursors. The 3' untranslated region contains two polyadenylation signals and a poly(A) sequence. RNA blot analysis of total cellular RNA from the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 revealed a message size of approximately 2.5 kb. Features of the 5' and 3' sequences and the message size suggest that a separate mRNA codes for alpha and argues against the occurrence of a single-chain precursor form of the disulfide-linked alpha-gamma subunit found in mature C8. Analysis of the derived amino acid sequence revealed several membrane surface seeking domains and a possible transmembrane domain. These occur in a cysteine-free region of the subunit and may constitute the structural basis for alpha interaction with target membranes. Analysis of the carbohydrate composition indicates 1 or 2 asparagine-linked but no O-linked oligosaccharide chains, a result consistent with predictions from the amino acid sequence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of cDNA coding for rat brain cholecystokinin precursor

A mixture of 14-mer oligodeoxynucleotides was used for the screening of a cDNA clone coding for a cholecystokinin (CCK) precursor from a cDNA library for rat brain microsomal poly(A)RNA. The longest insert is 718 bp long which was verified to contain a nearly full-length cDNA sequence coding for rat CCK precursor, because the size of CCK mRNA was estimated to be about 850 bases long by Northern blotting analysis. Sequence analysis revealed 110 bp in the 5'-untranslated region, 345 bp in the amino acid coding region corresponding to the CCK precursor and 263 bp in the 3'-noncoding region which contains polyadenylation signal AUUAAA and the poly(A) sequence. The precursor may contain a 28 amino acid signal peptide and 12 additional amino acids at the carboxyl terminus.