Human prostatic acid phosphatase: cDNA cloning, gene mapping and protein sequence homology with lysosomal acid phosphatase

The cDNAs encoding human prostatic acid phosphatase were cloned and characterized. The mRNAs contain 3' noncoding regions of heterogeneous sizes 646, 1887 or 1913 nucleotides. A dimer and a monomer of the conserved Alu-repeats are present in the longer 3' noncoding sequences. The complete sequence of 354 amino acids for the mature enzyme was determined by sequencing both cDNA and protein. Human prostatic and lysosomal acid phosphatases exhibit 50% sequence homology, including five Cys residues and two putative N-linked glycosylation sites. The Acp-3 gene coding for human prostatic acid phosphatase was mapped onto chromosome 3 in this investigation. The Acp-2 gene coding for lysosomal acid phosphatase has previously been located on chromosome 11, while the Acp-1 gene coding for red blood cell acid phosphatase is on chromosome 2.     

Isolation and sequencing of a cDNA clone encoding acid phosphatase in rat liver lysosomes

A full length cDNA for acid phosphatase in rat liver lysosomes was isolated and sequenced. The predicted amino acid sequence comprises 423 residues (48,332 Da). A putative signal peptide of 30 residues is followed by the NH2-terminal sequence of lysosomal acid phosphatase (45,096 Da). The deduced NH2-terminal 18-residue sequence is identical with that determined directly for acid phosphatases purified from the rat liver lysosomal membranes. The primary structure deduced for acid phosphatase contains 9 potential N-glycosylation sites and a hydrophobic region which could function as a transmembrane domain. It exhibits 89% and 67% sequence similarities in amino acids and nucleic acids, respectively, to human lysosomal acid phosphatase. The amino acid sequence of the putative transmembrane segment shows a complete similarity to that of the human enzyme. Northern blot hybridization analysis identified a single species of acid phosphatase mRNA (2.2 kbp in length) in rat liver.     

Human lysosomal acid phosphatase: cloning, expression and chromosomal assignment.

A 2112-bp cDNA clone (lambda CT29) encoding the entire sequence of the human lysosomal acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) was isolated from a lambda gt11 human placenta cDNA library. The cDNA hybridized with a 2.3-kb mRNA from human liver and HL-60 promyelocytes. The gene for lysosomal acid phosphatase was localized to human chromosome 11. The cDNA includes a 12-bp 5' non-coding region, an open reading frame of 1269 bp and an 831-bp 3' non-coding region with a putative polyadenylation signal 25 bp upstream of a 3' poly(A) tract. The deduced amino acid sequence reveals a putative signal sequence of 30 amino acids followed by a sequence of 393 amino acids that contains eight potential glycosylation sites and a hydrophobic region, which could function as a transmembrane domain. A 60% homology between the known 23 N-terminal amino acid residues of human prostatic acid phosphatase and the N-terminal sequence of lysosomal acid phosphatase suggests an evolutionary link between these two phosphatases. Insertion of the cDNA into the expression vector pSVL yielded a construct that encoded enzymatically active acid phosphatase in transfected monkey COS cells.     

Molecular cloning of the mouse lysosomal acid phosphatase

The mouse cDNA for lysosomal acid phosphatase was cloned. The deduced amino-acid sequence shows 89 and 96% identity with that of the human and rat enzyme, respectively. Namely all residues known to be important for the structure, catalytic activity and transport of lysosomal acid phosphatase are conserved among the three species.     

Mammalian protein serine/threonine phosphatase 2C: cDNA cloning and comparative analysis of amino acid sequences.

Complementary DNA encoding rat protein phosphatase 2C alpha was obtained from a liver library and used to isolate the homologous cDNAs from rabbit liver and human teratocarcinoma libraries. The amino acid sequences of the three enzymes deduced from the cDNA (382 amino acids) were extremely similar (greater than 99% identity), the maximum number of differences (between rat and human) being four. Amino acid sequences of peptides corresponding to 238 residues (61%) of the protein phosphatase 2C beta isoform from rabbit skeletal muscle were determined and showed 12 differences from the recently published sequence of the rat liver enzyme deduced from the cDNA (95% identity).     

Covalent structure, disulfide bonding, and identification of reactive surface and active site residues of human prostatic acid phosphatase

The pairing of the half-cysteine residues of human prostatic acid phosphatase was established by proteolytic digestion and analysis of the resulting peptide mixtures by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS). An independently derived, full length cDNA clone was used as the basis for the interpretation of the FAB-MS data. The sequence of the native protein is that predicted from the present cDNA sequence, except for the carboxyl-terminal end and some possible post-translational deamidations. Isolated human prostatic acid phosphatase was found to have multiple carboxyl-terminal ends, terminating in Thr, Glu, and Asp, corresponding to residues 349-351 of the 354-residue protein that is predicted from the cDNA sequence after removal of a leader peptide. The protein contains no free sulfhydryl groups. The identical monomer chains of the dimeric native enzyme are found to contain three disulfide bonds, specifically Cys-129 to Cys-340, Cys-183 to Cys-281, and Cys-315 to Cys-319. In view of the conserved positions of cysteines in the homologous human and rat liver lysosomal acid phosphatases, an identical disulfide bonding pattern may be predicted for those proteins. The location of a potential antigenic site was established by selective labeling of proximate tyrosine residues predicted to be on the surface. A conserved RHGXRXP sequence is present in the prostatic, lysosomal, Escherichia coli, and yeast acid phosphatases and is predicted to be of mechanistic significance. In addition, residue Arg-54 is shown to be an active site residue by reaction of the enzyme with phenylglyoxal. Interestingly, this residue is present in a sequence RXRY (R,H) that is also present in lysosomal phosphatase and in recently described protein tyrosine phosphatases.     

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA encoding human prostatic acid phosphatase

lambda gt11 clones encoding human prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) (EC 3.1.3.2) were isolated from human prostatic cDNA libraries by immunoscreening with polyclonal antisera. Sequence data obtained from several overlapping clones indicated that the composite cDNAs contained the complete coding region for PAP, which encodes a 354-residue protein with a calculated molecular mass of 41,126 Da. In the 5'-end, the cDNA codes for a signal peptide of 32 amino acids. Direct protein sequencing of the amino-terminus of the mature protein and its proteolytic fragments confirmed the identity of the predicted protein sequence. PAP has no apparent sequence homology to other known proteins. However, both the cDNA clones coding for human placental alkaline phosphatase and PAP have an alu-type repetitive sequence about 900 nucleotides downstream from the coding region in the 3'-untranslated region. Two of our cDNA clones differed from others at the 5'-ends. RNA blot analysis indicated mRNA of 3.3 kb. We are continuing to study whether acid phosphatases form a gene family as do alkaline phosphatases.     

Sequence and expression of the Drosophila phenylalanine hydroxylase mRNA

We report the cloning, nucleotide (nt) sequence and expression of the cDNA (pah) encoding phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) of Drosophila melanogaster. The strong hybridization signals observed in genomic blots when D. melanogaster DNA was probed with 32P-labeled human pah cDNA, indicated the existence of a high degree of sequence similarity between the pah genes of both species. The length of the pah genomic fragment is about 30 to 40 kb. The cDNA contains 84 bp of the 5'-untranslated region, 1359 bp of the protein-coding region and 87 bp of the 3' region, with only one polyadenylation signal. The isolated cDNA is probably full-length, since the size of the D. melanogaster PAH mRNA is 1.5 kb. At the nt level, the similarity of the D. melanogaster cDNA with human and rat pah cDNAs is 57.9% and 58.1%, respectively. The highest similarities are restricted to the nt sequence coding for the presumed hydroxylation domain. There is no nt sequence similarity between the first three exons of the human pah gene and an equivalent fraction of the D. melanogaster pah gene. At the amino acid (aa) level, the similarity in the presumed hydroxylation domain is 88.5%, in which two motifs of the structure AGLLSSXXXL are found, where X represents any aa. It was interesting to notice the conservation of aa 408, 311 and 280, where mutations are associated with phenylketonuria in humans. We observed, moreover, that, as it occurs in humans and rats, the expression of the D. melanogaster pah gene is tissue-specific and temporally regulated.     

Cloning and sequence of the cDNA encoding the β4 integrin subunit in rat peripheral nerve.

β4 and α6 integrin subunits dimerize to form an adhesion receptor that is necessary to nucleate hemidesmosomes and to anchor epithelial cells to their basal laminae. β4 is also expressed in Schwann cells (which do not contain hemidesmosomes) in peripheral nerve, where it may function in the formation or maintenance of myelin. The cDNA for β4 integrin has been cloned from epithelia-derived human and mouse tissues. We cloned cDNAs encoding β4 integrin from libraries derived from rat peripheral nerve, and determined the complete nucleotide sequence encoding the signal peptide and mature protein. Comparison of the deduced amino acid (aa) sequence revealed 95.1% and 87.5% identity with the mouse and human epithelia-derived sequences, respectively. The amino acid sequence of postulated signal transduction domains in β4 was 100% identical among rat, mouse, and human. Our cDNA clones included two of the four postulated alternatively spliced variants previously described in epithelial clones. Despite the potentially diverse functions of β4 integrin in Schwann cells and keratinocytes, the cDNAs for nerve-derived β4 integrin are highly similar to those cloned from epithelia.     

Molecular cloning and primary structure of rat thyroxine-binding globulin

Rat thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) cDNAs were isolated from a rat liver cDNA library by using a human TBG cDNA as a probe. From two overlapping cDNA inserts, an aligned cDNA sequence of 1714 nucleotides was obtained. There was 70% homology with human TBG cDNA over the span of 1526 nucleotides. In order to confirm that the cloned cDNA encodes rat TBG and to localize the NH2-terminal amino acid of the mature molecule, the protein was purified by affinity chromatography and subjected to direct protein microsequencing. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence was identical with that deduced from the nucleotide sequence. The rat TBG cDNA sequenced consisted of a truncated leader sequence (35 nucleotides), the complete sequence encoding the mature protein (1194 nucleotides) and the 3'-untranslated region (485 nucleotides), containing two polyadenylation signals. It was deduced that rat TBG consists of 398 amino acids (Mr = 44,607), three NH2-terminal residues more than human TBG, with which it shares 76% homology in primary structure. Of the six potential N-glycosylation sites, four are located in conserved positions compared to human TBG. Northern blot analysis of rat liver revealed an approximately 1.8-kilobase TBG mRNA. Its amount increased markedly following thyroidectomy and decreased with thyroxine treatment in a dose-dependent manner.     

Molecular cloning of magnesium-independent type 2 phosphatidic acid phosphatases from airway smooth muscle.

Members of the type 2 phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP2) family catalyse the dephosphorylation of phosphatidic acid (PA), lysophosphatidate and sphingosine 1-phosphate. Here, we demonstrate the presence of a Mg(2+)-independent and N-ethymaleimide-insensitive PAP2 activity in cultured guinea-pig airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. Two PAP2 cDNAs of 923 and 926 base pairs were identified and subsequently cloned from these cells. The ORF of the 923 base pair cDNA encoded a protein of 285 amino acids (Mr = 32.1 kDa), which had 94% homology with human PAP2a (hPAP2a) and which probably represents a guinea-pig specific PAP2a (gpPAP2a1). The ORF of the 926 base pair cDNA encoded a protein of 286 amino acids (Mr = 32.1 kDa) which had 84% and 91% homology with hPAP2a and gpPAP2a1, respectively. This protein, termed gpPAP2a2, has two regions (aa 21-33 and 51-74) of marked divergence and altered hydrophobicity compared with hPAP2a and gpPAP2a1. This occurs in the predicted first and second transmembrane domains and at the extremes of the first outer loop. Other significant differences between gpPAP2a1/2 and hPAP2a, hPAP2b and hPAP2c occur at the cytoplasmic C-terminal. Transient expression of gpPAP2a2 in Cos-7 cells resulted in an approx. 4-fold increase in Mg(2+)-independent PAP activity, thereby confirming that gpPAP2a2 is another catalytically active member of an extended PAP2 family.     

Bovine corneal protein 54K (BCP54) is a homologue of the tumor-associated (class 3) rat aldehyde dehydrogenase (RATALD)

Amino acid (aa) sequence data from Staphylococcus areas V8 protease-digested bovine corneal 54-kDa protein (BCP54) fragments were utilized to derive mixed oligodeoxyribonucleotide (oligo) primers complementary to the reverse translation products of these sequences. These degenerate oligo primers were used to prime the amplification of BCP54 sequence from bovine corneal epithelial cell cDNA. The cDNA probe generated by this mixed oligo-primed amplification of cDNA was cloned and dideoxy-sequenced. A search of the GenBank database (version 63.0) revealed extensive sequence similarity to the cDNA encoding tumor-associated rat liver (class 3) aldehyde dehydrogenase (RATALD). Nucleotide (nt) and aa sequence alignment of the BCP54 translation product reveals it is 78% and 84% homologous with RATALD at the nt and aa levels, respectively. Conservation of aa sequence elements common to the aldehyde dehydrogenase family thought to be of structural/functional significance is further substantiated by this analysis. Included in the discussion is the likelihood that gene sharing (genes encoding metabolic enzymes and other stable proteins) may extend to the cornea.     

Sequence analysis of mouse cDNAs encoding ribosomal proteins L12 and L18

Mouse cDNAs encoding ribosomal proteins (r-proteins), L12 and L18, were isolated and their sequences determined. The L12 cDNA was found to contain 639 bp, including a coding sequence of 498 nucleotides (nt), 5' (78 nt) and 3' (45 nt) untranslated regions (UTRs), and a poly(A) tail of 18 nt. The L18 cDNA was shown to consist of 648 bp, including a coding sequence of 567 nt, 5' (26 nt) and 3' (39 nt) UTRs, and a poly(A) tail of 16 nt. The nt sequences of the protein-coding region from the mouse L12 and L18 cDNAs were found to exhibit 96% and 92% identity, respectively, with those of the rat. With the use of mouse L12 and L18 cDNA probes, multiple (at least 10) copies of the L12 and L18 gene families were shown to be present in the mouse and rat genomes. However, there was no sequence heterogeneity detected among seven L18 cDNA clones, indicating that only one copy of the L18 gene-related sequences is functional, and the other copies are presumably nonfunctional pseudogenes. The complete amino acid (aa) sequences of the mouse r-proteins, L12 and L18, were deduced from the nt sequences of their cDNA clones. L12 has 165 aa and a M_r, of 17 790, while L18 has 188 aa and a M_r of 21 570. The aa sequences of the mouse r-proteins, L12 and L18, exhibit 98% and 94% identity, respectively, to those of rat.     

Molecular characterization of the lysosomal acid phosphatase fromDrosophila melanogaster

InDrosophila, unlike humans, the lysosomal acid phosphatase (Acph-1) is a non-essential enzyme. It is also one of the most rapidly evolving gene-enzyme systems in the genus. In order to determine which parts of the enzyme are conserved and which parts are apparently under little functional constraint, we cloned the gene fromDrosophila melanogaster via a chromosomal walk. Fragments from the gene were used to recover an apparently full-length cDNA. The cDNA was subcloned into aDrosophila transformation vector where it was under the control of the 5′ promoter sequence of thehsp-70 gene. Three independent transformants were obtained; in each, Acph-1 expression from the cDNA was constitutive and not dependent on heat shock, as determined by densitometric analyses of the allozymic forms of the enzyme. The pattern of expression indicates thehsp-70 and endogenousAcph-1 promoters act together in some, but not all, tissues. The sequence of the cDNA was determined using deletions made with exonuclease III, and primers deduced from the cDNA sequence were used to sequence the genomic clone. Five introns were found, and putative 5′ up-stream regulatory sequences were identified. Amino acid sequence comparisons have revealed several highly conserved motifs betweenDrosophila Acph-1 and vertebrate lysosomal and prostatic acid phosphatases.     

Sequence of human eosinophil-derived neurotoxin cDNA: identity of deduced amino acid sequence with human nonsecretory ribonucleases

Several clones of human eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) cDNA have been isolated from a lambda gt10 cDNA library prepared from mRNA derived from noninduced HL-60 cells. The amino acid (aa) sequence deduced from the coding sequence of the EDN cDNA is identical to the aa sequence of urinary nonsecretory RNase. Comparison of the aa and/or nucleotide (nt) sequences of EDN and other proteins possessing ribonucleolytic activity, namely bovine seminal RNase, human and rat pancreatic RNases, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and human angiogenin, shows extensive identity at half-cystine residues and at aa of active sites. Differences in aa sequences at the active sites are often the result of single nt changes in the codons. The data presented here support the concept of a RNase gene superfamily containing secretory and nonsecretory RNases, angiogenin, EDN and ECP.     

Comparative analysis of the Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli ompC genes

The nucleotide (nt) sequence of the gene encoding the Salmonella typhi OmpC outer membrane protein, and its deduced amino acid (aa) sequence are presented here. The S. typhi ompC gene consists of an open reading frame of 1134 nt, corresponding to a protein of 378 aa; with a 21-aa signal peptide. This protein is 11 aa longer than Escherichia coli OmpC, but it has an identical leader peptide. The mature OmpC sequence shows 79% similarity for both bacteria at the aa level, and 77% similarity at the nt level. Seven main variable regions in the OmpC protein were identified. Five of them correspond to hydrophilic regions and contain aa observed most frequently in turn configurations in soluble proteins. This suggests that these aa stretches could be located on the exterior of the outer membrane. To probe into the genus and species specificity of the main variable regions, we have constructed complementary oligodeoxyribonucleotides. The use of one of them with a small number of DNA samples is illustrated here; no restriction fragment length polymorphism or nt sequence heterogeneity could be found between S. typhi and Salmonella typhimurium.     

Plasmid DNA vaccine encoding prostatic acid phosphatase is effective in eliciting autologous antigen-specific CD8+ T cells

Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) is a prostate cancer tumor antigen and a prostate-specific protein shared by rats and humans. Previous studies indicated that Copenhagen rats immunized with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing human PAP (hPAP) developed PAP-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTL) with cross reactivity to rat PAP (rPAP) and evidence of prostate inflammation. Viral delivery of vaccine antigens is an active area of clinical investigation. However, a potential difficulty with viral-based immunizations is that immune responses elicited to the viral vector might limit the possibility of multiple immunizations. In this paper, we investigate the ability of another genetic immunization method, a DNA vaccine encoding PAP, to elicit antigen-specific CD8+ T cell immune responses. Specifically, Lewis rats were immunized with either a plasmid DNA-based (pTVG-HP) or vaccinia-based (VV-HP) vaccine each encoding hPAP. We determined that rats immunized with a DNA vaccine encoding hPAP developed a Th1-biased immune response as indicated by proliferating PAP-specific CD4+ and CD8+ cells and IFNγ production. Rats immunized with vaccinia virus encoding PAP did not develop a PAP-specific response unless boosted with a heterologous vaccination scheme. Most importantly, multiple immunizations with a DNA vaccine encoding the rat PAP homologue (pTVG-RP) could overcome peripheral self-tolerance against rPAP and generate a Th1-biased antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell response. Overall, DNA vaccines provide a safe and effective method of generating prostate antigen-specific T cell responses. These findings support the investigation of PAP-specific DNA vaccines in human clinical trials.