Molecular cloning of a novel NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily gene, ehm2, that is expressed in high-metastatic K1735 murine melanoma cells

We have cloned a novel gene, Ehm2, that is expressed in high-metastatic but not in low-metastatic K-1735 murine melanoma cells. The Ehm2 gene encodes a protein of 527 amino acid residues, showing up to 41% amino acid identity with the FERM domain of NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily proteins, which have the function of connecting cell surface transmembrane proteins to cytoskeletal molecules. The Ehm2 gene was mapped to chromosome 4 and was expressed in the liver, lung, kidney, and testis and in 7- to 17-day embryos. The highest level of homology was observed with NBL4, which is a new subfamily protein of the NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily. A human homologue of the mouse Ehm2 gene, showing significant homology (83% identity), was identified in the genomic DNA and EST databases. Furthermore, seven rat EST clones and one pig EST clone in the GenBank EST database were identified as having 83-92% sequence homology with the cDNA sequence of the mouse Ehm2 gene. Thus, Ehm2 is a highly conserved gene that encodes a novel member of the NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily proteins.     

Isolation of the choanocyte in the fresh water sponge, Ephydatia fluviatilis and its lineage marker, Ef annexin

In order to investigate the cellular system of the freshwater sponge, Ephydatia fluviatilis, we isolated a molecular marker for the most prominent cell type, the choanocyte. After feeding sponge with fluorescent beads, fluorescent-labeled choanocytes were collected by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). By protein profiling choanocyte and archeocyte (stem cell)-rich fractions, proteins characteristic of choanocyte were identified. The partial amino-acid sequence of one of the proteins characteristic of choanocyte matches the deduced amino-acid sequence of sponge expression tag (EST) clones and mouse annexin VII. These EST clones overlap and encode a protein, designated Ef annexin, which includes four annexin domains. Whole mount in situ hybridization shows Ef annexin expression in chamber-forming choanocytes in 7-day-old sponge, leading us to conclude that Ef annexin can be used as a choanocyte marker. In the early development stage, Ef annexin expression can be detected in both large single cells, characteristic of archeocytes, and cells forming 2-, 4- and multiple-cell clusters. These results indicate that Ef annexin is initially expressed in the choanocyte-committed archeocyte which then undergoes several mitotic cell divisions to form a choanocyte chamber. This suggests that the single choanocyte chamber essentially originates from a single archeocyte.     

Creation of genome-wide protein expression libraries using random activation of gene expression

Here we report the use of random activation of gene expression (RAGE) to create genome-wide protein expression libraries. RAGE libraries containing only 5 x 10(6) individual clones were found to express every gene tested, including genes that are normally silent in the parent cell line. Furthermore, endogenous genes were activated at similar frequencies and expressed at similar levels within RAGE libraries created from multiple human cell lines, demonstrating that RAGE libraries are inherently normalized. Pools of RAGE clones were used to isolate 19,547 human gene clusters, approximately 53% of which were novel when tested against public databases of expressed sequence tag (EST) and complementary DNA (cDNA). Isolation of individual clones confirmed that the activated endogenous genes can be expressed at high levels to produce biologically active proteins. The properties of RAGE libraries and RAGE expression clones are well suited for a number of biotechnological applications including gene discovery, protein characterization, drug development, and protein manufacturing.