Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel mouse actin-binding protein Zfp185

Zinc finger protein (Zfp) 185 is a mouse protein containing a Lin-l1, Isl-1 and Mec-3 (LIM) domains at its C-terminus. It was recognized by comparing the genome sequence between humans and mice in 1997. In this study, we cloned the full-length Zfp185 by means of RACE and RT-PCR. Zfp185 may be closely associated with F-actin in cells as determined by a confocal microscopy. With a series of deletants of Zfp185 and GST-pull-down assay, we determined that N-terminus region (1–144) but not the LIM domain at C-terminus of Zfp185 protein was essential and sufficient to bind to F-actin cytoskeleton. Thus, our data offered evidence for the association of mouse Zfp185 with F-actin, which supports the potential role of Zfp185 in cell fundamental activity.