Molecular cloning of growth hormone encoding cDNA of Indian major carps by a modified rapid amplification of cDNA ends strategy

A modified rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) strategy has been developed for cloning highly conserved cDNA sequences. Using this modified method, the growth hormone (GH) encoding cDNA sequences ofLabeo rohita, Cirrhina mrigala andCatla catla have been cloned, characterized and overexpressed inEscherichia coli. These sequences show 96–98% homology to each other and are about 85% homologous to that of common carp. Besides, an attempt has been made for the first time to describe a 3-D model of the fish GH protein.     

Cloning, sequencing and expression of cDNA encoding growth hormone from Indian catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis)

A tissue-specific cDNA library was constructed using polyA⁺ RNA from pituitary glands of the Indian catfishHeteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) and a cDNA clone encoding growth hormone (GH) was isolated. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers representing the conserved regions of fish GH sequences the 3′ region of catfish GH cDNA (540 bp) was cloned by random amplification of cDNA ends and the clone was used as a probe to isolate recombinant phages carrying the full-length cDNA sequence. The full-length cDNA clone is 1132 bp in length, coding for an open reading frame (ORF) of 603 bp; the reading frame encodes a putative polypeptide of 200 amino acids including the signal sequence of 22 amino acids. The 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions of the cDNA are 58 bp and 456 bp long, respectively. The predicted amino acid sequence ofH. fossils GH shared 98% homology with other catfishes. Mature GH protein was efficiently expressed in bacterial and zebrafish systems using appropriate expression vectors. The successful expression of the cloned GH cDNA of catfish confirms the functional viability of the clone.     

Expression of tuna growth hormone cDNA in Escherichia coli

Summary In order to produce tuna (Thunnus thynnus) growth hormone (GH), expression plasmid (pUES13S) carrying tuna GH cDNA was constructed using a vector (pKK223-3), in which the replication origin was replaced with that of pUC19. The expression of the tuna GH cDNA was greatly affected by the distance between a Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence and the initiation codon (ATG) and was most efficient when the distance was adjusted to 13 base pairs (bp). The amount of tuna GH produced by Escherichia coli JM109 with pUES13S was more than 12.5% of the total cytosolic proteins and the product was immunologically identified to be tuna GH (mol. wt. 21 000) by Western blot analysis using tuna GH specific immunoglobulin G (IgG). Another plasmid (pUES13S-2) containing tandemly polymerized tuna GH cDNA was constructed, to improve the productivity of tuna GH. When E. coli JM109 carrying pUES13S-2 was incubated at 40°C, the amount of tuna GH produced reached about 20% of the total cytosolic proteins.     

Carp growth hormone: molecular cloning and sequencing of cDNA

cDNA clones of the fish Cyprinus carpio growth hormone (GH) mRNA have been isolated from a cDNA library prepared from carp pituitary gland poly(A)+RNA. The nucleotide sequence of one of the carp GH cDNA clones containing an insert of 1164 nucleotides (nt) was determined. The cDNA sequence was found to encode a polypeptide of 210 amino acids (aa) including a signal peptide of 22 aa and to contain 5' and 3' untranslated regions of the mRNA of 36 and 498 nt, respectively. The carp GH presents a 63% amino acid sequence homology with the salmon GH, has structural features common with other GH polypeptides of mammalian or avian origin and contains domains of conserved sequence near the N- and C-terminal regions. Southern blot hybridization of carp genomic DNA with GH cDNA probes shows the presence of at least two GH-coding sequences in the fish genome.     

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of tuna growth hormone cDNA

cDNA for mRNA of tuna growth hormone (GH) was cloned by screening a cDNA library constructed from tuna pituitary gland poly(A)⁺ RNA. The nucleotide sequence of cDNA (911 bases) revealed an open reading frame of 615 nucleotides, including a sequence (51 bases) for a possible secretory protein leader peptide. Noncoding regions were found in the nucleotide sequences up- (5′-terminal: 65 bases) and down- (3′-terminal: 231 bases) stream of the open reading frame. An amino-acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA was identical with that determined in the purified tuna GH. Tuna GH was composed of 187 amino acids, and had a calculated molecular weight of 21275. Amino-acid sequencing showed that there was one possible N-glycosylation site at Asn (Asn-Cys-Thr). Tuna GH showed amino-acid sequence homologies with chum salmon (67%), yellow tail (90%) and with human (32%) growth hormones.     

Cloning and sequencing of cDNA encoding the cat growth hormone

A cDNA encoding cat growth hormone (Fc) GH) has been isolated and sequenced. This is the first report of a feline GH nucleotide and deduced amino acid (aa) sequences. This cat pituitary cDNA resembles a typical mammalian pre-GH cDNA with its encoded mature hormone differing from dog GH only by a single as residue.     

鲤鱼(Cyprinus carpio)生长激素基因克隆及原核表达

采用逆转录—聚合酶链式反应（ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ）方法,从鲤鱼脑垂体总ＲＮＡ中扩增出编码鲤鱼生长激素（ＧＨ）成熟肽基因序列．定向克隆至质粒ｐＵＣ１８,克隆的鲤鱼ＧＨｃＤＮＡ不含信号肽序列并以新的起始密码子ＡＴＧ取代鲤鱼ＧＨｃＤＮＡ第１个密码子ＴＣＡ．序列分析表明,与Ｋｏｒｅｎ报道的鲤鱼ＧＨｃＤＮＡ相比有两个碱基差异,但推断的氨基酸序列完全一致．将鲤鱼ＧＨｃＤＮＡ定向克隆至原核表达载体ｐＢＶ２２０,构建成重组鲤鱼ＧＨ基因表达载体ｐＢＶｃＧＨ８．ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ和薄层扫描分析表明：经４２℃诱导,ｐＢＶｃＧＨ８在大肠杆菌中可表达一分子量约２２０００的特异蛋白,表达量占细胞总蛋白的２９．２％．该基因重组的鲤鱼ＧＨ添加到饲料中投喂罗非鱼,证实有明显的促进生长作用     

Cloning and sequencing of cDNA that encodes goat growth hormone

The cDNA that encodes goat growth hormone (gGH) was isolated from a goat pituitary cDNA library. The cDNA, about 880 base pairs long, had a coding sequence, 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions and a poly(A) chain. The cDNA could encode a polypeptide of 217 amino acids. The amino acid sequence homology between gGH and the sequences of bovine GH, rat GH and human GH was 99, 83 and 66%, respectively. By Northern blot hybridization, we found that the possible gGH gene is transcribed in the goat pituitary.     

Cloning of the cDNAs coding for cat growth hormone and prolactin

Characterization of the prolactin (PRL) amino acid (aa) or cDNA sequences has not been reported for any member of the Felidae family. We cloned cat growth hormone (cGH) and cat PRL (cPRL) cDNA sequences from a feline pituitary cDNA library. High homology between species allowed bovine PRL (bPRL) and bGH cDNA clones to be used to identify clones encoding the 229-aa cPRL and 216-aa cGH sequences. The cGH protein is most homologous to pig and dog GH. Similarly, cPRL shares the most aa identity to pig PRL (pPRL). Northern blot analysis revealed the mRNA size for cGH and cPRL to be approx. 1 and 1.1 kb, respectively. These results reveal that GH and PRL from the Felidae family are highly conserved to other families of GH and PRL.     

Molecular cloning of lupin leghemoglobin cDNA

Poly(A)⁺RNA isolated from root nodules of yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus, var. Ventus) has been used as a template for the construction of a cDNA library. The ds cDNA was synthesized and inserted into the Hind III site of plasmid pBR 322 using synthetic Hind III linkers. Clones containing sequences specific for nodules were selected by differential colony hybridization using³²P-labeled cDNA synthesized either from nodule poly(A)⁺RNA or from poly(A)⁺RNA of uninfected root as probes. Among the recombinant plasmids, the cDNA gene for leghemoglobin was identified. The protein structure derived from its nucleotide sequence was consistent with known amino acid sequence of lupin Lb II. The cloned lupin Lb cDNA hybridized to poly(A)⁺RNA from nodules only, which is in accordance with the general concept, that leghemoglobin is expressed exclusively in nodules.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of mink growth hormone cDNA

A cDNA clone for mink growth hormone (GH) was isolated from a mink pituitary cDNA library, employing a part of rat growth hormone cDNA sequence as a probe. According to the nucleotide sequence, mature mink GH consists of 190 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 21,720. The amino acid sequence homology between the mature region of mink GH and those of pig GH, rat GH, bovine GH and human GH was 98.4%, 93.7%, 89.0% and 66.7%, respectively.     

Molecular cloning and sequencing of Australian black bream Acanthopagrus butcheri and barramundi Lates calcarifer fish growth hormone cDNA using polymerase chain reaction.

The complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding the preprotein growth hormone (pre-GH) from two Australian marine fish species, namely Acanthopagrus butcheri and Lates calcarifer, have been isolated, cloned and sequenced. The sequences were amplified from reverse transcribed total RNA of whole brains using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and oligonucleotide primers corresponding to the 5' and 3' regions of Pagrus major. Use of PCR offers a rapid method of isolating fish GH cDNA sequences for commercial and taxonomic applications. Sequence comparison indicates a high degree of conservation for GH cDNAs within the family Sparidae.     

Escaping introns in COI through cDNA barcoding of mushrooms: Pleurotus as a test case

DNA barcoding involves the use of one or more short, standardized DNA fragments for the rapid identification of species. A 648‐bp segment near the 5′ terminus of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene has been adopted as the universal DNA barcode for members of the animal kingdom, but its utility in mushrooms is complicated by the frequent occurrence of large introns. As a consequence, ITS has been adopted as the standard DNA barcode marker for mushrooms despite several shortcomings. This study employed newly designed primers coupled with cDNA analysis to examine COI sequence diversity in six species of Pleurotus and compared these results with those for ITS. The ability of the COI gene to discriminate six species of Pleurotus, the commonly cultivated oyster mushroom, was examined by analysis of cDNA. The amplification success, sequence variation within and among species, and the ability to design effective primers was tested. We compared ITS sequences to their COI cDNA counterparts for all isolates. ITS discriminated between all six species, but some sequence results were uninterpretable, because of length variation among ITS copies. By comparison, a complete COI sequences were recovered from all but three individuals of Pleurotus giganteus where only the 5′ region was obtained. The COI sequences permitted the resolution of all species when partial data was excluded for P. giganteus. Our results suggest that COI can be a useful barcode marker for mushrooms when cDNA analysis is adopted, permitting identifications in cases where ITS cannot be recovered or where it offers higher resolution when fresh tissue is. The suitability of this approach remains to be confirmed for other mushrooms.     

Isolation and sequencing of cDNA clones encoding ethylene-induced putative peroxidases from cucumber cotyledons

A cDNA library from ethephon-treated cucumber cotyledons (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Poinsett 76) was constructed. Two cDNA clones encoding putative peroxidases were isolated by means of a synthetic probe based on a partial amino acid sequence of a 33 kDa cationic peroxidase that had been previously shown to be induced by ethylene. DNA sequencing indicates that the two clones were derived from two closely related RNA species that are related to published plant peroxidase sequences. Southern analysis indicates that there are 1–5 copies in a haploid genome of a gene homologous to the cDNA clones. The deduced amino acid sequences are homologous with a tobacco (55% sequence identity), a horseradish (53%), a turnip (45%), and a potato (41%) peroxidase. The cloned sequences do not encode the 33 kDa peroxidase from which the original synthetic probe was been derived, but rather other putative peroxidases. An increase in the level of mRNA is evident by 3 hours after ethephon or ethylene treatment and plateaus by 15 hours.     

Molecular characterization of a low-molecular-weight glutenin cDNA clone from Triticum durum

Summary A full-length, low-molecular-weight (LMW) glutenin cDNA clone, pTdUCD1, has been isolated from a Triticum durum cv Mexicali wheat cDNA library. The complete sequence was determined and compared to the LMW glutenin genes that have been isolated from hexaploid wheat, Triticum aestivum. This cDNA codes for a protein of 295 amino acids (33,414 daltons) including a 20-amino acid signal peptide as deduced from the DNA sequence. Northern analysis showed that this cDNA hybridizes to a family of related sequences ranging in length from 1,200 to 1,000 nucleotides. This gene is similar but not identical to previously published LMW glutenin gene sequences. The most striking characteristic of all cloned LMW glutenin genes is the conservation of eight cysteine residues, which could be involved in potential secondary or tertiary structure, disulfide bond interactions. This paper presents a structural map defining distinct regions of the LMW glutenin gene family.     

Isolation,sequencing and expression of cDNA sequences encoding uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase from tobacco and barley

We have cloned and sequenced a full-length cDNA for uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD, EC 4.1.1.37) from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and a partial cDNA clone from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The cDNA of tobacco encodes a protein of 43 kDa, which has 33% overall similarity to UROD sequences determined from other organisms. We propose that tobacco UROD has an N-terminal extension of 39 amino acid residues. This extension is most likely a chloroplast transit sequence. The in vitro translation product of UROD was imported into pea chloroplasts and processed to ca. 39 kDa. A truncated cDNA, from which the putative transit peptide had been deleted, was used to over-express the mature UROD in Escherichia coli. Purified protein showed UROD activity, thus providing an adequate source for subsequent enzymatic characterization and inhibition studies. Expression of UROD was investigated by northern and western blot analysis during greening of etiolated barley seedlings, and in segments of barley primary leaves grown under day/night cycles. The amount of RNA and protein increased during illumination Maximum UROD-RNA levels were detected in the basal segments relative to the top of the leaf.Abbreviations ALA 5-aminolevulinic acid - copro coproporphyrin - coprogen coproporphyrinogen - protogen IX protoporphyrinogen IX - UROD uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase - uro uroporphyrin - urogen uroporphyrinogen     

Molecular characterization of multiple cDNA clones for ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase from Arabidopsis thaliana

PCR amplification of cDNA prepared from poly(A)⁺ RNA from aerial parts of Arabidopsis thaliana, using degenerate nucleotide primers based on conserved regions between the large and small subunits of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGP), yielded four different cDNAs of ca. 550 nucleotides each. Based on derived amino acid sequences, the identities between the clones varied from 49 to 69%. Sequence comparison to previously published cDNAs for AGP from various species and tissues has revealed that three of the amplified cDNAs (ApL1, ApL2 and ApL3) correspond to the large subunit of AGP, and one cDNA (ApS) encodes the small subunit of AGP. Both ApL1 and ApS were subsequently found to be present in a cDNA library made from Arabidopsis leaves. All four PCR products are encoded by single genes, as found by genomic Southern analysis.     

The argininosuccinate lyase gene of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: cloning of the cDNA and its characterization as a selectable shuttle marker

We describe the cDNA sequence for ARG7, the gene that encodes argininosuccinate lyase – a selectable nuclear marker – in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The 5′ end of the cDNA contains one more exon and the organisation of the mRNA is different from that predicted from the genomic sequence. When expressed under the control of the endogenous RbcS2 promoter, the 2.22-kb cDNA complements the arg7 mutation as well as the genomic DNA. A linear cDNA fragment lacking promoter sequences is also able to complement, suggesting that it could be used in promoter-trapping experiments. Despite the presence of a sequence encoding a potential chloroplast transit peptide in the cDNA the protein is not targeted to the chloroplast, nor can it complement the arg7 mutation when expressed there. By inserting a T7 bacteriophage promoter into the plasmid, a version of the cDNA which is able to complement both the C. reinhardtii arg7 mutant and the Escherichia coli argH mutant has been created. This modified Arg7 cDNA provides two advantages over the genomic DNA currently in use for gene tagging: it is shorter (6.2 kb versus 11.9 kb for pARG7.8φ3), and the selectable marker used in C. reinhardtii is the same as that used in E. coli, making plasmid rescue of the tag much more likely to succeed. Received: 2 June 1998 / Accepted: 25 September 1998     

Cloning of PCR-amplified total cDNA: Construction of a mouse oocyte cDNA library

We describe a general method for the synthesis and cloning of cDNA, applicable to cases in which the availability of biological material for mRNA extraction is extremely limited. A protocol allowing amplification of a heterogeneous mixture of cDNAs by the polymerase chain reaction has been devised and applied successfully to the construction of an apparently representative cDNA library, using as a model of a scarce RNA source 50 mouse ovulated eggs that can yield a maximum of 1.75 ng of poly(A)⁺ RNA. However, about 5% of the material obtained after amplification was adequate for cloning. Using the cloned sequences, we have derived a preliminary indirect measurement of the sequence complexity of the maternal poly(A)⁺ RNA in this mammalian oocyte.     

cDNA approaches to isolation of the mouse mutant weaver gene

The mouse autosomal recessive mutant gene weaver (wv) results in abnormalities in cerebellum, substantia nigra and testis. Although a subtracted cDNA library prepared by removing P31 (wv/wv) sequences from a P1 (wv/+) library should contain mainly nonrepetitive neonatal sequences, unfortunately, repetitive sequences still appear during screening. Two clones, one repetitive, the other not, are used to illustrate the problems encountered in attempting to isolate the weaver gene from a subtracted cDNA library.Special issue dedicated to Dr. Sidney Ochs.