Expression of human cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor cDNA in receptor-negative mouse P388D1 cells following gene transfer

We recently reported the cDNA cloning, sequence, and expression of the human cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (hCI-MPR) (Oshima, A., Nolan, C. M., Kyle, J. W., Grubb, J. H., and Sly, W. S. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 2553-2562). The sequence of the hCI-MPR was virtually identical to that of the human insulin-like growth factor II receptor cDNA (Morgan, D. O., Edman, J. C., Standring, D. N., Fried, V. A., Smith, M. C., Roth, R. A., and Rutter, W. J. (1987) Nature 329, 301-307). To test the role of the putative bifunctional receptor in intracellular sorting of acid hydrolases, we studied its effect on lysosomal enzyme transport following gene transfer to receptor-negative cells. Receptor-negative mouse P388D1 cells were transfected with a cDNA construct containing the entire coding sequence of hCI-MPR under the control of the mouse metallothionine I promoter. Stable transformants were isolated and characterized. The expressed hCI-MPR was localized in membranes including the plasma membrane, bound mannose 6-phosphate containing ligands, and mediated endocytosis which could be specifically blocked by mannose 6-phosphate. We next measured the effect of the expressed hCI-MPR on intracellular and secreted acid hydrolases. The intracellular activity of the lysosomal marker enzymes beta-glucuronidase and beta-hexosaminidase increased up to 2-fold following transformation. In addition, expression of the receptor greatly reduced the fraction of acid hydrolases secreted. These phenotypic changes in the transformed cell lines support the proposed role of the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor in intracellular sorting and targeting of lysosomal enzymes.     

Isolation of full-length putative rat lysophospholipase cDNA using improved methods for mRNA isolation and cDNA cloning

We have cloned a full-length putative rat pancreatic lysophospholipase cDNA by an improved mRNA isolation method and cDNA cloning strategy. These new methods allow the construction of a cDNA library from the adult rat pancreas in which the majority of recombinant clones contained complete sequences for the corresponding mRNAs. A previously recognized but unidentified long and relatively rare cDNA clone containing the entire sequence from the cap site at the 5' end to the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of the mRNA was isolated by single-step screening of the library. The size, amino acid composition, and the activity of the protein expressed in heterologous cells strongly suggest this mRNA codes for lysophospholipase [Van den Bosch, H., Aarsman, A. J., DeJong, G. N., & Van Deenen, L. M. (1973) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 296, 94-104].     

Purification, cDNA cloning, and expression of a new human blood plasma glutamate carboxypeptidase homologous to N-acetyl-aspartyl-alpha-glutamate carboxypeptidase/prostate-specific membrane antigen

We describe the identification, cDNA cloning, and biochemical characterization of a new human blood plasma glutamate carboxypeptidase (PGCP). PGCP was co-purified from human placenta with lysosomal carboxypeptidase, cathepsin A, lysosomal endopeptidase, cathepsin D, and a gamma-interferon-inducible protein, IP-30, using an affinity chromatography on a Phe-Leu-agarose column. A PGCP cDNA was obtained as an expressed sequence tag clone and completed at 5'-end by rapid amplification of cDNA ends polymerase chain reaction. The cDNA contained a 1623-base pair open reading frame predicting a 541-amino acid protein, with five putative Asn glycosylation sites and a 21-residue signal peptide. PGCP showed significant amino acid sequence homology to several cocatalytic metallopeptidases including a glutamate carboxypeptidase II also known as N-acetyl-aspartyl-alpha-glutamate carboxypeptidase or as prostate-specific membrane antigen and expressed glutamate carboxypeptidase activity. Expression of the PGCP cDNA in COS-1 cells, followed by Western blotting and metabolic labeling showed that PGCP is synthesized as a 62-kDa precursor, which is processed to a 56-kDa mature form containing two Asn-linked oligosaccharide chains. The mature form of PGCP was secreted into the culture medium, which is consistent with its intracellular localization in secretion granules. In humans, PGCP is found principally in blood plasma, suggesting a potential role in the metabolism of secreted peptides.     

A polymerase chain reaction strategy to identify and clone cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase cDNAs. Molecular cloning of the cDNA encoding the 63-kDa calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase.

Multiple isozymes of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are expressed simultaneously in mammalian tissues. To identify and clone these PDEs, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) strategy was developed using degenerate oligonucleotide primers designed to hybridize with highly conserved PDE DNA domains. Both known and novel PDEs were cloned from rat liver, the mouse K30a-3.3 lymphoma cell line, and a human hypothalamus cDNA library, demonstrating that these PCR primers can be used to amplify the cDNA of multiple PDE isozymes. One unique mouse PDE clone was found to encode a polypeptide identical with the corresponding portion of the bovine brain 63-kDa calmodulin-dependent PDE as reported in the companion article (Bentley, J. K., Kadlecek, A., Sherbert, C. H., Seger, D., Sonnenburg, W. K., Charbonneau, H., Novack, J. P., and Beavo, J. A. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 18676-18682). This mouse clone was used as a probe to screen a rat brain cDNA library for a full-length clone. The conceptual translation of the nucleotide sequence of the resulting rat clone has an open reading frame of 535 amino acids and maintains a high degree of homology with the bovine 63-kDa calmodulin-dependent PDE, indicating that this protein is likely to be the rat homolog of the 63-kDa calmodulin-dependent PDE. Expression of the full-length clone in Escherichia coli yielded a cGMP hydrolyzing activity that was stimulated severalfold by calmodulin. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the mRNA encoding this PDE is highly expressed in rat brain and also in the S49.1 T-lymphocyte cell line. These data demonstrate that the PCR method described is a viable strategy to isolate cDNA clones of known and novel members of different families of PDE isozymes. Molecular cloning of these PDEs will provide valuable tools for investigating the roles of these isozymes in regulation of intracellular concentrations of the cyclic nucleotides.     

Isolation and sequencing of a cDNA clone encoding lysosomal membrane glycoprotein mouse LAMP-1. Sequence similarity to proteins bearing onco-differentiation antigens

We have isolated and sequenced a cDNA clone encoding the mouse LAMP-1 (mLAMP-1) major lysosomal membrane glycoprotein. The deduced protein sequence, which included the NH2-terminal portion of the mLAMP-1 molecule, consisted of 382 amino acids (Mr 41,509). The predicted structure of this protein included an NH2-terminal intralumenal domain consisting of two homology units of approximately 160 residues each separated by a proline-rich hinge region. Each homology unit contained four cysteine residues with two intercysteine intervals of 36-38 residues and one of 68 or 76 residues. The molecule also contained 20 asparagine-linked glycosylation sites within residues 1-287, a membrane-spanning region from residues 347 to 370, and a carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic domain of 12 residues. The biochemical properties and amino acid sequence of mLAMP-1 were highly similar to those of two other molecules that have been studied as cell surface onco-differentiation antigens: a highly sialylated polylactosaminoglycan-containing glycoprotein isolated from human chronic myelogenous leukemia cells (Viitala, J., Carlsson, S. R., Siebert, P. D., and Fukuda, M. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85, in press) and the mouse gp130 (P2B) glycoprotein, in which an increase in beta 1-6 branching of asparagine-linked oligosaccharides has been correlated with metastatic potential in certain tumor cells (Dennis, J.W., Laferte, S., Waghorne, C., Breitman, M.L., and Kerbel, R.S. (1987) Science 236, 582-585).     

Developmental expression of the protein kinase C substrate/binding protein (clone 72/SSeCKS) in rat testis identification as a scaffolding protein containing an A-kinase-anchoring domain which is expressed during late-stage spermatogenesis.

The coordinated interaction of kinases, phosphatases and other regulatory molecules with scaffolding proteins is emerging as a major theme in intracellular signaling networks. In this report we show that a cDNA isolated from a rat testis expression library by interactive cloning using the regulatory subunit (R) of a type-II protein kinase A (PKA) is identical with a previously characterized protein kinase C (PKC)-binding protein termed either clone 72 [Chapline, C., Mousseau, B., Ramsay, K., Duddy, S., Li, Y., Kiley, S. C. & Jaken, S. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 6417-6422] or SSeCKS [Lin, X., Tombler, E., B., Nelson, P.J., Ross, M. & Gelman, I.H. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 28430-28438]. Deletion mutagenesis demonstrated that amino acids 1495-1524 of clone 72/SSeCKS had the ability to interact with RII. Antibodies prepared against the recombinant protein recognized a 280/290-kDa doublet and a 240-kDa protein on Western blots of rat testis cytosolic and Triton X-100 extracts. Expression of clone 72/SSeCKS mRNA and protein levels was developmentally regulated in rat testis. Northern-blot analysis showed a dramatic increase in clone 72/SSeCKS-hybridizing mRNA starting 30 days after birth. Immunohistochemical examination showed high expression levels in elongating spermatids. Clone 72/SSeCKS was not detected in mature sperm. These studies suggest a role for clone 72/SSeCKS, a PKA/PKC scaffolding protein, during the process of spermiogenesis.     

Characterization of a human homologue of the murine peripheral lymph node homing receptor

Lymphocyte trafficking is a fundamental aspect of the immune system that allows B and T lymphocytes with diverse antigen recognition specificities to be exposed to various antigenic stimuli in spatially distinct regions of an organism. A lymphocyte adhesion molecule that is involved with this trafficking phenomenon has been termed the homing receptor. Previous work (Lasky, L., T. Yednock, M. Singer, D. Dowbenko, C. Fennie, H. Rodriguez, T. Nguyen, S. Stachel, and S. Rosen. 1989. Cell. 56:1045-1055) has characterized a cDNA clone encoding a murine homing receptor that is involved in trafficking of lymphocytes to peripheral lymph nodes. This molecule was found to contain a number of protein motifs, the most intriguing of which was a carbohydrate binding domain, or lectin, that is apparently involved in the adhesive interaction between murine lymphocytes and peripheral lymph node endothelium. In this study, we have used the murine cDNA clone to isolate a human homologue of this peripheral lymph node-specific adhesion molecule. The human receptor was found to be highly homologous to the murine receptor in overall sequence, but showed no sequence similarity to another surface protein that may be involved with human lymphocyte homing, the Hermes glycoprotein. The extracellular region of the human receptor contained an NH2 terminally located carbohydrate binding domain followed by an EGF-like domain and a domain containing two repeats of a complement binding motif. Transient cell transfection assays using the human receptor cDNA showed that it encoded a surface glycoprotein that cross reacted with a polyclonal antibody directed against the murine peripheral lymph node homing receptor. Interestingly, the human receptor showed a high degree of sequence homology to another human cell adhesion glycoprotein, the endothelial cell adhesion molecule ELAM.     

Isolation and structural characterization of an insulin-related molecule, a predominant neuropeptide from Locusta migratoria

Neurohaemal lobes of corpora cardiaca of Locusta migratoria are an established storage site for neurohormones produced by the neurosecretory cells of the brain. As previously reported [Hietter, H., Van Dorsselaer, A., Green, B., Denoroy, L., Hoffmann, J.A. & Luu, B. (1990) Eur. J. Biochem. 187, 241-247], the isolation and characterization of a novel 5-kDa peptide from these lobes served as the basis for oligonucleotide screening of cDNA libraries prepared from poly(A) RNA from neurosecretory cells of the central nervous system. From subsequent cDNA cloning studies [Lagueux, M., Lwoff, L., Meister, M., Goltzené, F. & Hoffmann, J.A. (1990) Eur. J. Biochem. 187, 249-254], the existence of a 145-residue precursor protein was deduced, which contained, in addition to the 5-kDa peptide, amino-acid sequences with homology to the A and B chains of an insulin-related peptide. In the present study we have isolated the native molecule from corpora cardiaca of Locusta and characterized, by Edman degradation and plasma-desorption mass spectrometry, the two chains as follows: A chain, Gly-Val-Phe-Asp-Glu-Cys-Cys-Arg-Lys-Ser-Cys-Ser-Ile-Ser-Glu-Leu-Gln-Thr- Tyr-Cys - Gly (Ile, isoleucine); B chain, Ser-Gly-Ala-Pro-Gln-Pro-Val-Ala-Arg-Tyr-Cys-Gly-Glu-Lys-Leu-Ser-Asn-Ala- Leu-Lys - Leu-Val-Cys-Arg-Gly-Asn-Tyr-Asn-Thr-Met-Phe. Taken in conjunction with the previous cloning studies, our data lead to a clear picture of the processing of Locusta preproinsulin. They indicate that locusta corpora cardiaca contain remarkably large amounts of one single insulin form, in contrast to multiple insulin isoforms of Bombyx mori, the only other insect species from which insulin-related peptides have been isolated and characterized [Nagasawa, H., Kataoka, H., Isogai, A., Tamura, S., Suzuki, A., Mizoguchi, A., Fujiwara, Y., Suzuki, A., Takahashi, S. & Ishizaki, H. (1986) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 83, 5840-5843].     

Characterization and expression profile of AmphiCD63 encoding a novel member of TM4SF proteins from amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense.

The study on CD antigen genes remains lacking in the cephalochordate amphioxus to date. In this report, the cDNA encoding CD63 was identified for the first time from the gut cDNA library of amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense. Primary structural examination showed that the protein encoded by the cDNA contained four potential transmembrane domains characteristic of transmembrane 4 superfamily (TM4SF) proteins and a conserved CCG motif in the putative major extracellular loop. BLAST search revealed that the cDNA is closely associated with other known CD63 antigen genes, and it was thus designated AmphiCD63. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that AmphiCD63 is extremely close to vertebrate CD63, CD151 and CD53, suggesting they may have been evolved from a common ancestral gene. RT-PCR analysis exhibited that AmphiCD63 mRNA was abundant in muscle, ovary, foregut including hepatic caecum and hindgut, while it was present at considerably lower levels in notochord and gill and absent in testis.     

Amino acid sequence of the vitronectin receptor alpha subunit and comparative expression of adhesion receptor mRNAs

The amino acid sequence of the vitronectin receptor alpha subunit deduced from cDNA is presented. The sequence defines a 1047-amino-acid polypeptide precursor with a putative signal sequence, a large extracellular domain with several sites homologous to calcium binding sites in other proteins, a transmembrane domain, and a 32-amino-acid cytoplasmic domain. The 7-kilobase vitronectin receptor alpha subunit mRNA was found to be expressed in all cell lines examined, including endothelial cells, K562 and HEL leukemia cells, and osteosarcoma cells. In the two leukemia cell lines, the expression of the vitronectin receptor mRNA, as well as that of the fibronectin receptor, was enhanced in the presence of phorbol ester, a treatment known to increase the adhesiveness of these cells. The HEL cells were the only ones among the cell lines tested that also contained the mRNA of the platelet adhesion receptor alpha subunit, glycoprotein IIb. The expression of glycoprotein IIb was slightly enhanced by treatment of the cells with phorbol ester. These results complete the partial cDNA sequence of the vitronectin receptor alpha subunit published previously (Suzuki, S., Argraves, W. S., Pytela, R., Arai, H., Krusius, T., Pierschbacher, M. D., and Ruoslahti, E. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 83, 8614-8618), confirm that the vitronectin receptor, and not IIb, is expressed in endothelial cells, and show that changes in the level of its expression correlate with changes in cell adhesiveness.     

Molecular cloning and sequencing of cDNAs encoding the proteolipid subunit of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase from a higher plant.

To understand the molecular structure of the vacuolar H(+)-translocating ATPase from plants, cDNAs encoding the N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-binding 16-kDa proteolipid from oat (Avena sativa L. var. Lang) have been obtained. A synthetic oligonucleotide corresponding to a region of the bovine proteolipid cDNA (Mandel, M., Moriyama, Y., Hulmes, J.D., Pan, Y.-C.E., Nelson, H., and Nelson, N. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85, 5521-5524) was used to screen an oat cDNA library constructed in lambda gt11. The nucleotide sequences of several positive clones (VATP-P1, clones 12, 54, 93) demonstrated the presence of a small multigene family. The four clones showed extensive divergence in their codon usage and their 3'-untranslated regions; however, the deduced amino acid sequences of the proteins were 97-99% identical. These clones encoded the proteolipid subunit as one of them (clone 12) expressed a fusion protein that reacted with an antibody to the 16-kDa proteolipid. The open reading frame of one cDNA clone (VATP-P1) predicted a polypeptide of 165 amino acids with a molecular mass of 16,641. Based on hydropathy plots, a molecule with four membrane-spanning domains was predicted, in which domain IV was especially conserved among different species. This domain showed 80% identity in nucleotide or amino acid sequences between the oat and the bovine proteolipids and contained a glutamate residue that is the putative N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-binding residue. The presence of a small multigene family of the 16-kDa proteolipid was confirmed by Southern blot analysis showing that several distinct restriction fragments of oat nuclear DNA hybridized with the VATP-P1 cDNA.     

Primary structure of alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor-associated protein. Human homologue of a Heymann nephritis antigen.

The alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) receptor complex as purified by affinity chromatography contains three polypeptides: a 515-kDa heavy chain, an 85-kDa light chain, and a 39-kDa associated protein. Previous studies have established that the 515/85-kDa components are derived from a 600-kDa precursor whose complete sequence has been determined by cDNA cloning (Herz, J., Hamann, U., Rogne, S., Myklebost, O., Gassepohl, H., and Stanley, K. (1988) EMBO J. 7,4119-4127). We have now determined the primary structure of the human 39-kDa polypeptide, termed alpha 2M receptor-associated protein, by cDNA cloning. The deduced amino acid sequence contains a putative signal sequence that precedes the 323-residue mature protein. Comparative sequence analysis revealed that alpha 2M receptor-associated protein has 73% identity with a rat protein reported to be a pathogenic domain of Heymann nephritis antigen gp 330 and 77% identity to a mouse heparin-binding protein termed HBP-44. The high overall identity suggests that these molecules are interspecies homologues and indicates that the pathogenic domain, previously thought to be a portion of gp 330, is in fact a distinct protein. Further, the 120-residue carboxyl-terminal region of alpha 2M receptor-associated protein has 26% identity with a region of apolipoprotein E containing the low density lipoprotein receptor binding domain. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that the newly formed alpha 2M receptor-associated protein remains cell-associated, while surface labeling experiments followed by immunoprecipitation suggest that this protein is present on the cell surface forming a complex with the alpha 2M receptor heavy and light chains.     

Chromatographic resolution and immunologic identification of the alpha 40 and alpha 41 subunits of guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins from bovine brain

A guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (G protein), with subunits designated as alpha 40 beta gamma, was identified and partially resolved from two other purified G proteins, Go (alpha 39 beta gamma) and Gi (alpha 41 beta gamma), found in bovine brain. The alpha 40 G protein subunit served as a substrate for ADP-ribosylation catalyzed by Bordetella pertussis toxin, as did alpha 39 and alpha 41. alpha 40 was shown to be closely related to, but distinct from, alpha 41 by reaction with various peptide antisera. An antiserum generated against a peptide derived from the sequence of a Gi alpha clone isolated from a rat C6 glioma cDNA library (Itoh, H., Kozasa, T., Nagata, S., Nakamura, S., Katada, T., Ui, M., Iwai, S., Ohtsuka, E., Kawasaki, H., Suzuki, K., and Kaziro, Y. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 83, 3776-3780) reacted with alpha 40 to the exclusion of all other alpha subunits tested. Another antiserum generated against a peptide derived from an analogous region of a different Gi alpha clone from a bovine brain cDNA library (Nukuda, T., Tanabe, T., Takahashi, H., Noda, M., Haga, K., Haga, T., Ichiyama, A., Kangawa, K., Hiranaga, M., Matsuo, H., and Numa, S. (1986) FEBS Lett. 197, 305-310) reacted exclusively with alpha 41. Evidence is given for the existence of another form of alpha 41 that did not react with either of these two peptide antisera. The antisera were used to survey various rat tissues for the expression of alpha 40 and alpha 41.     

Structure and expression of a cloned cDNA for mouse interferon-beta

A unique sequence in the mouse genome which cross-hybridized to a cloned human interferon-beta 1 gene was detected by DNA blot analysis. Taking advantage of this, a cDNA library prepared from partially purified mRNA for mouse interferon-beta was screened using human interferon-beta 1 DNA as a probe. One of the positive clones, pM beta-3, contained a 680-base pair cDNA insert, whose base sequence contained a single large open reading frame for 182 amino acids. The coding sequences of the cDNA showed homologies of 63% at the nucleotide and 48% at the amino acid level with respect to human interferon-beta 1 cDNA (Taniguchi, T., Ohno, S., Fujii-Kuriyama, Y., and Muramatsu, M. (1980) Gene 10, 11-15). The first 21 amino acids, considered to be the signal peptide, were followed by 24 amino acids, whose sequence was identical with the NH2-terminal sequence that had been reported for mouse interferon-beta from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (Taira, H., Broeze, R. J., Jayaram, B. M., Lengyel, P., Hunkapiller, M. W., and Hood, L. E. (1980) Science (Wash. D.C.) 207, 528-530). The complete primary sequence of mature interferon-beta polypeptide consisting of 161 amino acids (Mr = 19,700) was deduced. There are three N-glycosylation sites, and this offers an explanation for the larger molecular size (Mr = 26,000-40,000) of natural mouse interferon-beta in comparison to the deduced interferon polypeptide. The cDNA, when fused to a SV40 promoter sequence and then introduced into COS-7 cells, directed the synthesis and secretion of a protein product indistinguishable from the authentic mouse interferon-beta.     

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of full-length cDNA for sweet potato catalase mRNA

A nearly full-length cDNA clone for catalase (pCAS01) was obtained through immunological screening of cDNA expression library constructed from size-fractionated poly(A)-rich RNA of wounded sweet potato tuberous roots by Escherichia coli expression vector-primed cDNA synthesis. Two additional catalase cDNA clones (pCAS10 and pCAS13), which contained cDNA inserts slightly longer than that of pCAS01 at their 5'-termini, were identified by colony hybridization of another cDNA library. Those three catalase cDNAs contained primary structures not identical, but closely related, to one another based on their restriction enzyme and RNase cleavage mapping analyses, suggesting that microheterogeneity exists in catalase mRNAs. The cDNA insert of pCAS13 carried the entire catalase coding capacity, since the RNA transcribed in vitro from the cDNA under the SP6 phage promoter directed the synthesis of a catalase polypeptide in the wheat germ in vitro translation assay. The nucleotide sequencing of these catalase cDNAs indicated that 1900-base catalase mRNA contained a coding region of 1476 bases. The amino acid sequence of sweet potato catalase deduced from the nucleotide sequence was 35 amino acids shorter than rat liver catalase [Furuta, S., Hayashi, H., Hijikata, M., Miyazawa, S., Osumi, T. & Hashimoto, T. (1986) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 83, 313-317]. Although these two sequences showed only 38% homology, the sequences around the amino acid residues implicated in catalytic function, heme ligand or heme contact had been well conserved during evolution.     

Cellular distribution of CD63 antigen in platelets and in three megakaryocytic cell lines

Summary CD63 is a 53 kDa lysosomal membrane glycoprotein that has been identified as a platelet activation molecule. We investigated the localization of CD63 antigen in platelets and in three megakaryocytic cell lines (K562, HEL and CMK11-5) using flow cytometry and immunoelectron microscopy. Flow cytometry showed that a monoclonal antibody directed against CD63 bound to 8.1% of unstimulated platelets and 59.2% of thrombin-stimulated platelets. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that CD63 antigen was distributed randomly inside unstimulated platelets, while it was localized in the open canalicular system of washed platelets and on the cell membranes of thrombin-stimulated platelets. Flow cytometry detected CD63 on 16.4% of HEL cells, 31.2% of K562 cells, and 43.2% of CMK11-5 cells. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that CD63 was localized in the granules and on the surface membranes of HEL cells, in the vesicles and on the membranes of K562 cells, and in the granules and vesicles as well as on the membranes of CMK11-5 cells. Thus, the distribution of CD63 differed markedly among these three megakaryocytic cell lines.     

Characterization of a cDNA clone for the nonspecific cross-reacting antigen (NCA) and a comparison of NCA and carcinoembryonic antigen

NCA (nonspecific cross-reacting antigen), a glycoprotein found in normal lung and spleen, is immunologically related to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), which is found in over 95% of colon adenocarcinomas. From a human genomic library, we previously cloned part of an NCA gene and showed that the amino-terminal region has extensive sequence homology to CEA (Thompson, J. A., Pande, H., Paxton, R. J., Shively, L., Padma, A., Simmer, R. L., Todd, Ch. W., Riggs, A. D., and Shively, J.E. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S.A. 84, 2965-2969). We now present the nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone, containing the entire coding region of NCA (clone 9). The clone was obtained from a lambda gt 10 library made from the colon carcinoma cell line SW 403; the clone contains a 34-amino acid leader sequence, 310 amino acids for the mature protein, and 1.4 kilobases of 3'-untranslated region of the NCA gene. A comparison of the NCA sequence to the CEA sequence (Oikawa, S., Nakazato, H., and Kosaki, G. (1987) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 142, 511-518; Zimmerman, W., Ortlieb, B., Friedrich, R., and von Kleist, S. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 84, 2690-2694) shows that both proteins contain doublets of an immunoglobulin-like domain, of which there are one copy in NCA and three copies in CEA, a 108-amino acid amino-terminal domain with no cysteine residues, and a carboxyl-terminal hydrophobic domain of sufficient length to anchor the glycoproteins in the cell membrane. Overall, the corresponding coding regions possess 85% sequence homology at the amino acid level and 90% homology at the nucleotide level. Forty nucleotides 3' of their stop codons, the CEA and NCA cDNAs become dissimilar. The 108-amino acid amino-terminal region together with part of the leader peptide sequence corresponds exactly to a single exon described in our previous work. The data presented here further demonstrate the likelihood that CEA recently evolved from NCA by gene duplication, including two duplications of the immunoglobulin-like domain doublet of NCA.     

Cloning and analysis of cDNA encoding bovine butyrophilin, an apical glycoprotein expressed in mammary tissue and secreted in association with the milk-fat globule membrane during lactation

Butyrophilin is a glycoprotein expressed on the apical surfaces of secretory cells in lactating mammary tissue, which may function in the secretion of milk-fat droplets (Franke, W. W., Heid, H. W., Grund, C., Winter, S., Freudenstein, C., Schmid, E., Jarasch, E.-D., and Keenan, T. W. (1981) J. Cell Biol. 89, 485-494). A cDNA clone encoding bovine butyrophilin was isolated and the primary structure of the protein deduced from the DNA sequence. Bovine butyrophilin contains 526 amino acids with a putative signal peptide of 26 amino acids. Hydropathy analysis predicts the existence of a single membrane-spanning region with the amino terminus facing the exoplasmic space. Butyrophilin cDNA hybridized to mRNA of 2.9 kilobases in bovine mammary tissue taken from pregnant or lactating animals, but specific mRNA was not detected in a 2-year-old virgin cow. The amount of message was maximal in lactating tissue. Butyrophilin mRNA could not be detected in bovine heart, intestine, kidney, liver, ovary, or uterus. A search of the GenBank and EMBL data banks showed closest homology was between the C termini of butyrophilin and "ret finger protein" (Takahashi, M., Inaguma, Y., Hiai, H., and Hirose, F. (1988) Mol. Cell. Biol. 8, 1853-1856). The ret-finger protein gene is expressed in a variety of tumor cell lines, mouse testis and embryonic tissue, which like the mammary gland undergo periods of rapid cell division and development. The possible significance of this homology and the possible function of butyrophilin in milk-lipid secretion are discussed.