Human Indolethylamine N-Methyltransferase: cDNA Cloning and Expression, Gene Cloning, and Chromosomal Localization

Indolethylamine N-methyltransferase (INMT) catalyzes the N-methylation of tryptamine and structurally related compounds. We recently cloned and characterized the rabbit INMT cDNA and gene as a step toward cloning the cDNA and gene for this enzyme in humans. We have now used a PCR-based approach to clone a human INMT cDNA that had a 792-bp open reading frame that encoded a 263-amino-acid protein 88% identical in sequence to rabbit INMT. Northern blot analysis of 35 tissues showed that a 2.7-kb INMT mRNA species was expressed in most tissues. When the cDNA was expressed in COS-1 cells, the recombinant enzyme catalyzed the methylation of tryptamine with an apparent K_m value of 2.9 mM. The human cDNA was then used to clone the human INMT gene from a human genomic BAC library. The gene was 5471 bp in length, consisted of three exons, and was structurally similar to the rabbit INMT gene as well as genes for nicotinamide N-methyltransferase and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase in several species. All INMT exon–intron splice junctions conformed to the “GT-AG” rule, and no canonical TATA or CAAT sequences were present within the 5′-flanking region of the gene. Human INMT mapped to chromosome 7p15.2–p15.3 on the basis of both PCR analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Finally, two possible single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified within exon 3, both of which altered the encoded amino acid. The cloning and expression of a human INMT cDNA, as well as the cloning, structural characterization, and mapping of its gene represent steps toward future studies of the function and regulation of this methyltransferase enzyme in humans.     

人ob基因克隆及其亚细胞定位的研究

目的:旨在克隆人肥胖(obese,ob)基因的全长cDNA序列,与EGFP重组构建融合蛋白表达载体,并分析其亚细胞水平的定位.方法:提取人脂肪细胞总RNA,采用RT-PCR方法扩增出人ob基因cDNA,并克隆至真核表达载体pEGFP-CI,重组质粒转染NIH-3T3细胞,荧光显微镜分析EGFP-ob融合蛋白的亚细胞定位.结果:克隆的ob基因cDNA为501bp,共编码167个氨基酸,与GenBank公布的人ob基因序列一致,荧光显微镜分析表明,重组的EGFP-ob融合蛋白主要分布于NIT-3T3的细胞质中.结论:成功克隆了人OB基因的cDNA序列,构建人OB基因的真核表达载体pEGFP-CI-ob,融合蛋白EGFP-ob定位于NIH-3T3细胞质中.     

人类生精相关基因TSARG4的cDNA克隆

为了探索精子生成的分子机制 ,从人精子外部致密纤维蛋白相关基因SPAG4(spermantigen 4)和小鼠精母细胞中表达的AK0 0 62 2 5基因出发 ,找到两个人类EST ,BG72 0 5 64和AI70 0 45 4,其中BG72 0 5 64在人睾丸中表达。运用“间隙填充法”填平这两个EST之间的间隙 ,从人睾丸文库中快速克隆了同源于SPAG4和AK0 0 62 2 5基因的人类TSARG4基因 (testisandspermatogenesisrelatedgene 4) (GenBank登录号为AF40 13 5 0 ) ,并用RT PCR对该基因阅读框进行验证。TSARG4基因全长 12 5 2bp ,开放阅读框为 94～ 12 3 3bp ,定位于 2 0q11.2 ,推定编码 3 79个氨基酸 ,预计分子量为 43 0 81.45 ,等电点为 8.61,该基因与小鼠精母细胞基因AK0 0 62 2 5编码的氨基酸序列同源性 74% ,与人类SPAG4基因编码的氨基酸序列同源性 45 %。RT PCR表明人类TSARG4基因在多个组织中均有表达 ,而同源的小鼠AK0 0 62 2 5基因仅在睾丸中表达     

人ZP3基因的RT-PCR cDNA克隆

目的：研究人ZP3基因的结构及构建人ZP3基因原核表达系统。方法：从人卵巢组织中分离出mRNA并以此作为模版,通过RT—PCR扩增出人ZP3基因cDNA片段,然后将其克隆在pUC18质粒上,并对克隆片段进行序列分析。结果：共克隆到ZP3-A（1300bp）、ZP3-B（1180bp）、ZP3-C（1200bp）和ZP3-D（1080bp）4种不同长度的人ZP3基因cDNA片段,对其中最长的ZP3-A片段的测序结果表明,它包含了人ZP3基因阅读框内的全部序列,与NCBI Sequence Viewer中公布的人ZP3 mRNA序列（NM-007155）相比较,在1275bp长的编码区内只有一个碱基不同,两者同源性达到99．92％。结论：本研究克隆到的ZP3-A cDNA片段确是人ZP3基因无疑。     

Molecular Cloning and Chromosomal Localization to 17q21 of the Human WNT3 Gene

In mouse mammary tumors, the Wnt-3 gene can be activated by proviral insertion. Here we report on the isolation of a human homolog, WNT3. A genomic clone was isolated by use of mouse Wnt-3 sequences as a probe, after which cDNA containing most of the protein-encoding domain of the human gene was obtained by PCR. Comparison between the deduced mouse and human WNT-3 protein sequences showed four changes in 333 amino acids. WNT3 is located on chromosome 17q21. The gene was not found to be amplified or rearranged in a collection of human breast tumors.     

Molecular Cloning and Chromosomal Localization of Human Salt-Tolerant Protein

We have isolated a novel human cDNA coding for human salt-tolerant protein (HSTP), that is a homologue of the rat salt-tolerant protein (STP) and may contribute to salt-induced hypertension by modulating renal cation transport. The nucleotide sequence (1988 bp) of the HSTP cDNA contains an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide comprising 545 amino acids, two residues fewer than the rat STP cDNA. The predicted amino acid sequence exhibits 92% identity to that of the rat protein. HSTP contains predicted coiled-coil domains and Src Homology 3 domain, and shows a high degree of identity to CIP4 (Cdc42 target protein) and human Trip 10 (thyroid-hormone receptor interacting protein). We have mapped the HSTPgene to human chromosome 19 by fluorescence in situhybridization. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

一种新的蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶基因的克隆、定位和组织表达谱研究

从人胎肝cDNA库分离出一长度为5248bp的cDNA克隆,该基因包含26个外显子和25个内含子,染色体定位于在某些肿瘤细胞中易缺失的3p21.1-21.33。其可读框编码1636个氨基酸,该蛋白属于蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶（PTP）家族,其C端有一个典型的PTP结构域,N端含有约800氨基酸残基的BRO1样结构域及随后2个可能的SH3结构域结合位点,在这两个结构域之间及C末端还各有一个脯氨酸富集区。Northern杂交和点杂交分析显示,该基因以大约5.4kb的单一转录物广泛表达于人体各种组织,而且在人部分肿瘤细胞中高表达。结果提示,人源PTP－TD14是一个新的蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶。     

Cloning, Characterization, and Chromosomal Localization of Human Supervillin (SVIL)

Supervillin is a 205-kDa F-actin binding protein originally isolated from bovine neutrophils. This protein is tightly associated with both actin filaments and plasma membranes, suggesting that it forms a high-affinity link between the actin cytoskeleton and the membrane. Human supervillin cDNAs cloned from normal human kidney and from the cervical carcinoma HeLa S3 predict a bipartite structure with three potential nuclear localization signals in the NH₂-terminus and three potential actin-binding sequences in the COOH-terminus. In fact, throughout its length, the COOH-terminal half of supervillin is similar to segments 2–6 plus the COOH-terminal “headpiece” of villin, an actin-binding protein in intestinal microvilli. A comparison of the bovine and human sequences indicates that supervillin is highly conserved at the amino acid level, with 79.2% identity of the NH₂-terminus and conservation of three of the four nuclear localization signals found in bovine supervillin. The COOH-terminus is even more highly conserved, with 95.1% amino acid identity overall and 100% conservation of the villin-like headpiece. Supervillin mRNAs are expressed in all human tissues tested, but are most abundant in muscle, bone marrow, thyroid gland, and salivary gland; comparatively little message is found in brain. Human supervillin mRNA is ∼7.5 kb; this message is especially abundant in HeLa S3 cervical carcinoma, SW480 adenocarcinoma, and A549 lung carcinoma cell lines. The human supervillin gene (SVIL) is localized to a single chromosomal locus at 10p11.2, a region that is deleted in some prostate tumors.     

Cloning and Functional Expression of a Novel Human Connexin-25 Gene

Gap junctions arc intercellular, water-filled channels composed of transmembrane proteins called connexins, six of which are arranged radially and dock with six homologous proteins in an adjacent cell to form an approximate 16 A pore. Through this pore cell-to-cell transfer of small water-soluble molecules up to about 1000 daltons occurs along concentration gradients. Connexins comprise a multigene family that share consensus sequences in the trans-membrane domains and the first and second extracellular loops. Comparison of the protein sequences of known human connexins with the draft nucleotide sequence of the human genome revealed two clones from chromosome 6 which showed strong similarity to highly conserved connexin sequences. Detailed analysis revealed the presence of a 672 nt open reading frame in these clones, encoding a 223 amino acid polypeptide with a predicted molecular weight of about 25 kD. This is smaller than other known human connexins. The ORF of the potential connexin25 was amplified by semi-nested PCR using human genomic DNA as a template. To confirm that this new gene encodes a connexin, Cx25 was transfected into a gap junction deficient subclone of the human HeLa cell line. After selection of transformants, cells were microinjected with the fluorescent dye Lucifer yellow. Transfectants but not controls successfully transferred dye, demonstrating that this new gene encodes a functional connexin.     

Structure and Chromosomal Localization of the Human Salivary Mucin Gene, MUC7

We have isolated and characterized several MUC7 genomic clones encoding the human low-molecular-weight salivary mucin, MG2. The MUC7 gene spans ∼10.0 kb and comprises of three exons and two introns. Intron 1 is ∼1.7 kb long and is located in the 5′-untranslated region of the corresponding MUC7 cDNA. Intron 2 spans ∼6.0 kb and is located close to the boundary of the putative leader peptide and secreted protein. The entire region encoding the secreted peptide is located on exon 3, spanning ∼2.2 kb. The nucleotide sequence of sections of the MUC7 gene, including 1500 bp of the 5′-flanking region, was determined and analyzed for motifs identical or homologous to other known response elements. A modified RACE procedure was used to determine the 5′-end of the MUC7 mRNA. PCR, the human–hamster somatic cell hybrid panel PCRable DNAs kit, and anin situhybridization analysis on the complete metaphase chromosome spreads were used for the chromosomal localization of the MUC7 gene. It was mapped to chromosome 4q13–q21.     

猪核糖体蛋白基因RPLP0的cDNA全长、染色体定位和多态性分析

RPLP0基因编码酸性核糖体磷蛋白大亚基P0, 是核糖体60S亚基的组成成分之一。从本室构建的猪胚胎骨骼肌cDNA文库中分离得到猪RPLP0基因的全长cDNA,并提交 GenBank 数据库。比较猪 RPLP0 基因和人及小鼠同源基因的cDNA序列和蛋白质序列,结果表明该基因在 3 个物种中具有高的相似性。用 PCR-RFLP 方法在猪 RPLP0基因cDNA 545处检测到 C→A 的单碱基突变,为 Csp6Ⅰ的酶切位点。统计分析结果表明 3 种基因型 (AA,AC,CC)在外来品种杜洛克,大约克, 长白和中国地方品种通城猪,小梅山,玉山猪中的分布各不相同。同时使用体细胞杂种板(SCHP)和辐射杂种板(IMpRH) 对 RPLP0 基因进行染色体定位,该基因被定位于 SSC 14q22-q24 并且和SW1321微卫星标志紧密连锁 (25cR, LOD = 14.54)。     

人TIMP—3cDNA的克隆,表达及其抗血管生成作用

从人新鲜的胎盘组织中提取总ＲＮＡ,以ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ法获取了人组织金属蛋白酶抑制－３成熟蛋白的ｃＤＮＡ。序列分析表明,ＴＩＭＰ－３成熟蛋白含有１８８个氨基酸残基,其中１２个半胱氨酸残基在ＴＩＭＰ家族中高度保守。将人ＴＩＭＰ－３ｃＤＮＡ插入含７启动子的质粒ｐＥＴ－２４构建表达质粒ｐＥＴ－ＴＩＭＰ３,转化大肠杆菌ＢＬ２１,筛选表达菌株ＢＬＴＩＭＰ３。     

Structure and Chromosomal Localization of the Human Homeobox Gene Prox 1

The genomic organization and nucleotide sequence of the human homeobox gene Prox 1 as well as its chromosomal localization have been determined. This gene spans more than 40 kb, consists of at least 5 exons, and encodes an 83-kDa protein. It shows 89% identity with the chicken sequence at the nucleotide level in the coding region, while the human and chicken proteins are 94% identical. Among the embryonic tissues analyzed (lens, brain, lung, liver, and kidney), the human Prox 1 gene is most actively expressed in the developing lens, similar to the expression pattern of the chicken Prox 1 gene. The Prox 1 gene was mapped to human chromosome 1q32.2–q32.3.     

Characterization and Chromosomal Localization of the Gene for Human Rhodopsin Kinase

G-protein-dependent receptor kinases (GRKs) play a key role in the adaptation of receptors to persistent stimuli. In rod photoreceptors rhodopsin kinase (RK) mediates rapid desensitization of rod photoreceptors to light by catalyzing phosphorylation of the visual pigment rhodopsin. To study the structure and mechanism of GRKs in human photoreceptors, we have isolated and characterized cDNA and genomic clones derived from the human RK locus using a bovine rhodopsin kinase cDNA fragment as a probe. The RK locus, assigned to chromosome 13 band q34, is composed of seven exons that encode a protein 92% identical in amino acid sequence to bovine rhodopsin kinase. The marked difference between the structure of this gene and that of another recently cloned human GRK gene suggests the existence of a wide evolutionary gap between members of the GRK gene family.     

Molecular Cloning, Expression, and Chromosomal Localization of a Human Brain-Specific Na+-Dependent Inorganic Phosphate Cotransporter

Abstract: We describe the molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding a human brain Na⁺-dependent inorganic phosphate (P_i) cotransporter (hBNPI). The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of hBNPI reveal a protein of 560 amino acids with six to eight putative transmembrane segments. hBNPI shares a high degree of homology with other Na⁺-dependent inorganic P_i cotransporters, including those found in rat brain and human and rabbit kidney. Expression of hBNPI in COS-1 cells results in Na⁺-dependent P_i uptake. Northern blot analysis demonstrates that hBNPI mRNA is expressed predominantly in brain and most abundantly in neuron-enriched regions such as the amygdala and hippocampus. Moderate levels of expression are also observed in glia-enriched areas such as the corpus callosum, and low levels are observed in the substantia nigra, subthalamic nuclei, and thalamus. In situ hybridization histochemistry reveals relatively high levels of hBNPI mRNA in pyramidal neurons of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus and in granule neurons of dentate gyrus. The level of hBNPI mRNA is quite low in fetal compared with adult human brain, suggesting developmental regulation of hBNPI gene expression. Southern analyses of nine eukaryotic genomic DNAs probed under stringent conditions with hBNPI cDNA revealed that the hBNPI gene is highly conserved during vertebrate evolution and that each gene is most likely present as a single copy. Using fluorescent in situ hybridization, we localized hBNPI to the long arm of chromosome 19 (19q13) in close proximity to the late-onset familial Alzheimer's disease locus.     

人趋化因子受体CXCR4基因的克隆及原核表达

目的:构建人CXCR4原核表达载体并在大肠杆菌中进行表达。方法:从健康人外周血单个核细胞提取总RNA,以RT-PCR获得CXCR4基因全长1059bp的完整编码序列,将其克隆入载体pMD-18T中,经限制性内切酶和菌落PCR分析并测序证实的阳性重组子与表达载体pET-28a( )连接并转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)。结果:12%SDS-PAGE分析表明,在30℃以IPTG诱导获得分子量为43ku的His-CXCR4融合蛋白表达带,诱导4h后此蛋白表达量约为全菌总蛋白的25%。结论:成功获得人CXCR4基因融合蛋白。