Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of the E1 alpha subunit of human liver branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase

A 1552-bp cDNA for the E1 alpha subunit of branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) was isolated from a human liver cDNA library. The cDNA contained a 1134-bp open reading frame that encoded 378 amino acid (aa) residues of the enzyme and 418 bp of 3'-untranslated sequence. The deduced amino acid sequence of the human protein shows 96% identity with that of the rat enzyme subunit. Those 117-aa residues surrounding the phosphorylation sites are completely conserved between man and rat. BCKDH E1 alpha showed considerable amino acid sequence similarity with pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 alpha, particularly in the region of the two principal phosphorylation sites of these proteins. Northern blots of human liver and skin fibroblasts demonstrated a single 1.8-kb mRNA band, with a higher level of E1 alpha mRNA in liver than in normal fibroblasts. Fibroblasts from a patient with thiamine-responsive maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) contained an mRNA of the same size and abundance as that of normal fibroblasts. Genomic DNA from normal and MSUD fibroblasts gave the same restriction maps on Southern blots, and the gene was approximately 10-kb in size.     

A collagen-binding protein in the endoplasmic reticulum of myoblasts exhibits relationship with serine protease inhibitors.

Several cDNA clones encoding a 46-kDa collagen-binding glycoprotein (gp46) from rat skeletal myoblasts were isolated and sequenced. The cDNA encoded a 17-amino acid signal peptide and a 400-amino acid mature protein, containing three potential N-linked oligosaccharide attachment sites. The cDNA sequence of gp46 shows 93% identity in the coding region with J6, a retinoic acid-inducible gene coding for a protein of unknown function described from embryonal carcinoma F9 cells. The first 41 NH2-terminal amino acids of the predicted J6 sequence are, however, different from the gp46 sequence as a result of a 7-base pair insertion in the gp46 cDNA. In addition, the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of hsp47, a collagen-binding protein found in chick embryo fibroblasts, shows 64% identity to gp46 over 36 residues. Interestingly, this alignment begins 10 residues inward from the first amino acid in the mature form of gp46. A significant sequence similarity was observed between gp46 and members of the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) family. Unlike other serpins, however, gp46 is both a heat shock and a collagen-binding protein and is localized to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, as suggested by the presence of the RDEL sequence at the COOH terminus. This sequence is similar to other proposed endoplasmic reticulum retention signals.     

The human pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Isolation of cDNA clones for the E1 alpha subunit, sequence analysis, and characterization of the mRNA

cDNA clones corresponding to the entire length of mRNA for the alpha subunit of human pyruvate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.4.1), the E1 component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, have been isolated from liver cDNA libraries. Two classes of cDNA clones were obtained and these correspond to two forms of pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 alpha mRNA. Both mRNA species have been demonstrated in a variety of human tissues and cultured fibroblasts. The cDNA sequence has been determined and, from it, the protein sequence of the human E1 alpha subunit was deduced. The protein is synthesized with a typical mitochondrial import leader sequence and the peptide bond at which this sequence is cleaved after transport into the mitochondrion has been determined by direct amino acid sequencing of the mature E1 alpha subunit. The human pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 alpha subunit contains identical phosphorylation sites to those found in the corresponding porcine protein. Preliminary studies of pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 alpha mRNA in cultured fibroblasts from patients with severe pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency have revealed considerable heterogeneity as would be expected from protein studies.     

Nucleotide sequence of cDNA coding for saporin-6, a type-1 ribosome-inactivating protein from Saponaria officinalis

We have isolated and sequenced partial cDNA clones that encode SO-6, a ribosome-inactivating protein from Saponaria officinalis. A cDNA library was constructed from the leaves of this plant and screened with synthetic oligonucleotide probes representing various portions of the protein. The deduced amino acid sequence shows the signal peptide and a coding region virtually accounting for the entire amino acid sequence of SO-6. The sequence reveals regions of similarity to other ribosome-inactivating proteins, especially in a region of the molecule where critical amino acid residues might participate in the active site.     

The nuclear-encoded human NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase NDUFA8 subunit: cDNA cloning, chromosomal localization, tissue distribution, and mutation detection in complex-I-deficient patients

We report the cloning of the cDNA sequence of the nuclear-encoded NDUFA8 subunit of NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase, the first mitochondrial respiratory chain complex. The NDUFA8 open reading frame (ORF) includes 519 bp and encodes 172 amino acids (Mr=20.1 kDa). The human cDNA sequence shows 86.2% identity with the bovine sequence, whereas the human NDUFA8 amino acid sequence is 87.8% similar to its bovine PGIV protein counterpart. Both human and bovine NDUFA8 contain a conserved cysteine motif. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of rodent/human somatic cell hybrids maps the human NDUFA8 gene to chromosome 9. A multiple tissue blot has revealed the highest NDUFA8 mRNA expression in human heart, skeletal muscle, and fetal heart. Mutation analysis of the NDUFA8 fibroblast cDNA in 20 patients with an isolated enzymatic complex I deficiency in cultured skin fibroblasts has revealed two polymorphisms, one within the ORF and the other in the 3’ untranslated region of the NDUFA8 cDNA sequence. The allelic frequency of both polymorphisms was similar in controls and complex-I-deficient patients. Received: 17 April 1998 / Accepted: 22 July 1998     

粘虫类钙粘蛋白基因的克隆、序列分析及时空表达

昆虫中肠膜类钙粘蛋白（cadherin-like protein, CLP）是苏云金芽孢杆菌Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)毒素的重要受体之一, 与Bt毒素的杀虫作用机制以及昆虫对Bt毒素的抗性等密切相关。本研究应用RT-PCR和RACE技术, 克隆了迁飞性重要害虫粘虫Mythimna separata类钙粘蛋白基因全长cDNA序列（命名为Msclp, GenBank登录号为JF951432）, 全长5 642 bp, 编码1 757个氨基酸, 推导的氨基酸序列具有昆虫类钙粘蛋白的特征结构, 包括1个信号肽、 1个前蛋白区、 12个钙粘蛋白重复、 1个近膜区、 1个跨膜区和1个胞质区。预测的分子量和等电点分别为196.786 kD和4.5。该蛋白与同科的烟夜蛾Helicoverpa assulta、 烟芽夜蛾Heliothis virescens、 棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera及甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua的类钙粘蛋白亲缘关系最近, 氨基酸序列一致性分别为61.77%, 61.66%, 61.26%和58.14%。荧光定量RT-PCR分析表明, 该类钙粘蛋白基因在不同龄期的粘虫幼虫中表达量差异极显著(P<0.01), 其中4龄幼虫相对表达量最高, 但与3龄、 6龄幼虫并没有显著性差异; 1和2龄幼虫表达量最低; 表达部位主要在粘虫中肠, 在中肠以外的虫体其他部位表达量极低。这些结果对于揭示转Bt作物对非靶标、 迁飞性粘虫的杀虫作用机制以及评价其潜在的对Bt毒素抗性机制等奠定了基础。     

Heterologous expression, purification, and characterization of human triacylglycerol hydrolase.

Triacylglycerol hydrolase mobilizes stored triacylglycerol some of which is used for very-low-density lipoprotein assembly in the liver. A full-length cDNA coding for a human triacylglycerol hydrolase (hTGH) was isolated from a human liver cDNA library. The cDNA has an open reading frame of 576 amino acids with a cleavable 18-amino-acid signal sequence. The deduced amino acid sequence shows that the protein belongs to the carboxylesterase family. The hTGH was highly expressed in Escherichia coli as a 6xHis-tagged fusion protein, with the tag at the N-terminus in place of the signal peptide. However, the expressed protein was insoluble and inactive. Expression was confirmed by immunoblotting and N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the purified protein. Expression of hTGH with its native signal sequence and a C-terminal 6xHis-tag in Sf9 cells using the baculovirus expression system yielded active enzyme. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the purified expressed protein showed correct processing of the signal peptide. The enzyme also undergoes glycosylation within the endoplasmic reticulum lumen. The results suggest that hTGH expressed in insect cells is properly folded. Therefore, baculovirus expression of hTGH and facile purification of the His-tagged enzyme will allow detailed characterization of the structure/activity relationship.     

Human lysozyme: sequencing of a cDNA, and expression and secretion by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A cDNA encoding human lysozyme was isolated from a human placenta cDNA library. The cDNA was 1.5 kb in size and coded for a signal peptide consisting of 18 amino acids and mature lysozyme. The amino acid sequence of the mature lysozyme, deduced from the nucleotide sequence, was identical with the published sequence. In the 3'-noncoding region of the cDNA, an Alu sequence was found in the reverse orientation. In a protein coding region, the human lysozyme cDNA shows 60.1% and 51.3% similarity with chicken lysozyme and human alpha-lactalbumin cDNAs, respectively. When the cDNA was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, an active and correctly processed human lysozyme was secreted efficiently into the culture medium.     

Morquio disease: isolation, characterization and expression of full-length cDNA for human N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase.

We cloned and sequenced a full-length cDNA of human placental N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase, the enzyme deficient in Morquio disease. The 2339-nucleotide sequence contained 1566 nucleotides which encoded a polypeptide of 522 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence was composed of a 26-amino acid N-terminal signal peptide and a mature polypeptide of 496 amino acid residues including two potential asparagine-linked glycosylation sites. Expression of the cDNA in transfected deficient fibroblasts resulted in higher production of this sulfatase activity than in untransfected deficient fibroblasts. The cDNA clone was hybridized to only a 2.3-kilobase species of RNA in human fibroblasts. The amino acid sequence of N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase showed a high degree of homology with those of other sulfatases such as human arylsulfatases A, B or C, glucosamine-6-sulfatase, iduronate-2-sulfatase and sea urchin arylsulfatase.     

The structure of human thrombospondin, an adhesive glycoprotein with multiple calcium-binding sites and homologies with several different proteins

Thrombospondin is one of a class of adhesive glycoproteins that mediate cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions. We have used two monoclonal antibodies to isolate cDNA clones of thrombospondin from a human endothelial cell cDNA library and have determined the complete nucleotide sequence of the coding region. Three regions of known amino acid sequence of human platelet thrombospondin confirm that the clones are authentic. Three types of repeating amino acid sequence are present in thrombospondin. The first is 57 amino acids long and shows homology with circumsporozoite protein from Plasmodium falciparum. The second is 50-60 amino acids long and shows homology with epidermal growth factor precursor. The third occurs as a continuous eightfold repeat of a 38-residue sequence; structural homology with parvalbumin and calmodulin indicates that these repeats constitute the multiple calcium-binding sites of thrombospondin. The amino acid sequence arg-gly-asp-ala is included in the last type 3 repeat. This sequence is probably the site for the association of thrombospondin with cells. In addition, localized homologies with procollagen, fibronectin, and von Willebrand factor are present in one region of the thrombospondin molecule.     

Cloning of the cDNA for the serine protease homolog CAP37/azurocidin, a microbicidal and chemotactic protein from human granulocytes

Human cationic antimicrobial protein (CAP37) is a neutrophil granule protein with monocyte chemotactic and antibacterial activity. A CAP37 cDNA clone of 899 bp was isolated from an HL-60 cDNA library using degenerate oligonucleotide probes based on partial N-terminal sequence of the CAP37 protein. The cDNA sequence predicts an open reading frame of 753 bp encoding a protein of 251 amino acids. A 26-residue eukaryotic signal peptide and a potential 7 amino acid pro-peptide are present at the N-terminus of the protein. The cDNA sequence also predicts three N-linked glycosylation attachment sites and eight intramolecular cysteines. The deduced amino acid sequence of CAP37 shows 44, 42, and 32% homology at the amino acid level to neutrophil elastase, myeloblastin, and cathepsin G, respectively, suggesting that CAP37 is a member of the serine protease gene family. CAP37 does not possess serine protease activity probably due to mutations in two of three residues in the catalytic triad of the "charge relay system." Whereas CAP37 is expressed in undifferentiated HL-60 cells no message is detected in mature neutrophils.     

Purification, identification, and cDNA cloning of Cha o 2, the second major allergen of Japanese cypress pollen.

The second major allergen of Chamaecyparis obtusa (Japanese cypress) pollen, Cha o 2, has been purified and its cDNA cloned. Of patients with pollinosis caused by C. obtusa, 82.5% produce IgE antibodies which react with purified Cha o 2. The purified protein has a molecular mass of 46 kDa and its 12 N-terminal amino acid sequence displays a high homology with that of Cry j 2, the second major allergen of Cryptomeria japonica pollen. cDNA clones coding for Cha o 2 have been isolated using Cry j 2 cDNA as a probe. Cha o 2 cDNA clones were sequenced and found to code a putative 50-residue signal sequence and a 464-residue mature protein with a molecular weight of 50 kDa. Two possible N-linked glycosylation sites were found in the sequence. The deduced amino acid sequence of Cha o 2 shows 74.3% identity with that of Cry j 2. In its primary structure, Cha o 2 shows significant identity with those of the polygalacturonases of avocado, tomato, and maize as well as Cry j 2.     

大熊猫辅酶Q-细胞色素C氧化还原酶的辅酶Q连接蛋白基因cDNA的克隆及序列比较

大熊猫（Ailuropoda melanoleuca）是世界上极其宝贵的自然历史遗产,具有重要的学术研究价值,其生存和保护现状为世人所关注。而从分子水平上对大熊猫开展研究逐渐成为国内外研究的重点。目前,对大熊猫基因的研究多集中于线粒体（Zhang and Ryder,1994）和部分基因的克隆与分析（周荣家等,1998）,而涉及众多功能基因及其生物学功能探索相对较少,     

The sequence of the mouse 14 kDa beta-galactoside-binding lectin and evidence for its synthesis on free cytoplasmic ribosomes.

The partial amino acid sequence of the mouse 14 kDa beta-galactoside-binding lectin has been deduced from cDNA clones corresponding to 86% of the coding sequence and extending to the polyadenylation signal. The deduced amino acid sequence for the murine lectin shows 94% identity with the rat, 89% with human, 86% with bovine and 46% with the chicken 14 kDa lectins. A cDNA probe has been used to analyse genomic DNA and identify a single mRNA of approx. 570 bp in 3T3 fibroblasts, murine erythroleukaemia cells and the murine basement-membrane-secreting Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm tumour. Analysis of free and bound polyribosomes has shown that the lectin message is translated on free cytoplasmic ribosomes.     

Sequence and expression of the cDNA for MEP (major excreted protein), a transformation-regulated secreted cathepsin.

The major excreted protein (MEP) of malignantly transformed mouse fibroblasts is a secreted thiol proteinase. Sequencing of the MEP cDNA shows the coding region for the protein to be identical with the sequence for a mouse cysteine proteinase isolated from macrophages, but the MEP cDNA is polyadenylated at a different site in the 3' non-coding region. Strong homology of MEP with human cathepsin L suggests that MEP is the mouse analogue of cathepsin L. Amino acid sequencing of the N-terminus of the secreted form of MEP indicates that, during secretion, the polypeptide is cleaved between amino acids 17 and 18. We have placed the MEP cDNA in a eukaryotic expression vector and demonstrated the production of the 39 kDa polypeptide form of mouse MEP in monkey CV-1 cells.     

Severin, gelsolin, and villin share a homologous sequence in regions presumed to contain F-actin severing domains

cDNA clones encoding the actin filament severing protein severin from Dictyostelium discoideum were isolated from a cDNA library in lambda gt 11 using monoclonal antibodies. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with the sequence of a severin peptide indicated that the complete coding region of severin is contained in the isolated clones. Severin, a 39.9-kDa protein, is encoded by one gene in D. discoideum. An mRNA of approximately 1.4 kilobases is present throughout the developmental cycle of D. discoideum. The amino acid sequence of severin contains a region highly homologous to a conserved sequence in villin and gelsolin, two proteins of similar function isolated from vertebrates. This homologous region is believed to participate in the actin filament severing activity of these proteins. Comparison of the severin sequence to the entire gelsolin sequence shows remarkable homologies pointing to a common origin from an ancestral gene from which gelsolin has been derived by a duplication.     

Identification, expression analysis and polymorphism of a novel RLTPR gene encoding a RGD motif, tropomodulin domain and proline/leucine-rich regions

We describe the isolation and characterization of a full-length cDNA encoded by a gene that was significantly down-regulated in the affected skin of patients with psoriasis vulgaris. The cDNA was isolated from a keratinocyte cDNA library and its sequence was found to correspond to a hypothetical locus recorded in GenBank with the accession number . The nucleotide sequence of the full-length cDNA was found to have an open reading frame of 1365 amino acids and to span approximately 12 kb of genomic DNA with 39 exons on chromosome 16q22. The deduced amino acid sequence contains four distinct structural regions, an RGD motif, a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) region, a tropomodulin domain, and a proline-rich domain. The gene was consequently designated as RLTPR (RGD, leucine-rich repeat, tropomodulin and proline-rich containing protein). The RLTPR hypothetical protein has a functional domain organization similar to Acan125, a myosin-binding protein expressed by Acanthamoeba castellanni. RT-PCR with RLTPR PCR primers amplified products from cDNAs prepared from all of the 30 different tissues that we examined including thymus, spleen, colon, skin, skin keratinocytes, skin fibroblasts and fetal skin. During the course of screening the human keratinocyte cDNA library, some alternative splicing was also detected in three regions of the RLTPR gene. In addition, sequence analysis of the RLTPR genes from eight psoriasis patients and eight healthy controls revealed a number of synonymous and nonsynonymous SNPs that may be useful markers for future disease association studies.