Cloning, expression and sequence homologies of cDNA for human gamma enolase

The nucleotide sequence of the human gamma-enolase mRNA was determined from recombinant cDNA clones. The sequence spans 2273 bp and includes the complete coding region of 1299 bp, a 5'-noncoding region of 74 bp and a 897-bp-long 3'-noncoding region containing a variant polyadenylation signal (ATTAAA). The deduced amino acid (aa) sequence is 433 aa long and shows a 97% similarity with rat gamma-enolase. Both the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions are similar (82% and 68%, respectively) to the analogous regions of the rat gamma-enolase gene, suggesting that a strong selective pressure operates on noncoding segments of gamma-enolase mRNAs. The size of the gamma-enolase mRNA expressed in human brain is 2.4 kb. A crosshybridizing 1.5-kb message is detected in human skeletal muscle which may be derived from the beta-enolase-coding gene.     

Cloning and characterization of a novel human phosphatidic acid phosphatase type 2, PAP2d, with two different transcripts PAP2d_v1 and PAP2d_v2

This study reports the cloning and characterization of a novel human phosphatidic acid phosphatase type 2 isoform cDNAs (PAP2d) from the foetal brain cDNA library. The PAP2d gene is localized on chromosome 1p21.3. It contains six exons and spans 112 kb of the genomic DNA. By large-scale cDNA sequencing we found two splice variants of PAP2d, PAP2d_v1 and PAP2d_v2. The PAP2d_v1 cDNA is 1722 bp in length and spans an open reading frame from nucleotide 56 to 1021, encoding a 321aa protein. The PAP2d_v2 cDNA is 1707 bp in length encoding a 316aa protein from nucleotide 56-1006. The PAP2d_v1 cDNA is 15 bp longer than the PAP2d_v2 cDNA in the terminal of the fifth exon and it creates different ORF. Both of the proteins contain a well-conserved PAP2 motif. The PAP2d_v1 is mainly expressed in human brain, lung, kidney, testis and colon, while PAP2d_v2 is restricted to human placenta, skeletal muscle, and kidney. The two splice variants are co-expressed only in kidney.     

Alternative non-coding exons support serotonin transporter mRNA expression in the brain and gut

A number of studies in recent years have linked polymorphisms within the serotonin transporter (5HTT) gene to affective disorders and anxiety traits. The human 5HTT mRNA is alternatively spliced, and the splice variants are equally expressed in the human placental cell line and dorsal raphe. In this study, using 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends, we show that the rat 5HTT mRNA is alternatively spliced, leading to three distinct mRNAs differing in the 5' untranslated region. To determine whether the three alternatively spliced mRNA species that contain one of the following untranslated regions (i) exon 1A, 63 bp (ii) exon 1A + 1B, 125 bp or (iii) exon 1C, 101 bp, were expressed in a tissue-specific manner, we used RT-PCR and exon-specific oligonucleotide hybridization. Our results suggest two of the variants (1A + 1B and 1A) may utilize the same promoter; however, they are not equally expressed. While in the adult CNS and adrenal medulla, the shorter mRNA consisting of exon 1A was considerably more abundant, in the stomach and heart, the two variants were equally expressed. The third splice variant exon 1C is only expressed in the gut and to a lesser extent in the heart. The data from this study suggest the splice variant consisting of exon 1C may utilize a distinct promoter compared to the other two.     

Human hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase: a single nucleotide substitution in cDNA clones isolated from a patient with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (HPRTMidland)

We have determined the molecular basis for hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) deficiency in a patient, J.H., with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Radioimmunoassay of lysates of erythrocytes or cultured B-lymphoblasts showed that this patient had no detectable HPRT enzyme activity or HPRT protein. HPRT-specific mRNA levels were normal by Northern analysis. We created a cDNA library from mRNA isolated from cultured lymphoblasts derived from this patient. Nucleotide sequencing of full-length HPRT cDNA clones revealed a single nucleotide (nt) substitution: a T-to-A transversion at nt 389. We have designated this variant HPRTMidland. The predicted amino acid (aa) substitution in HPRTMidland is a valine to aspartic acid at aa 130. This substitution is within 2 aa of the amino acid substitution in a previously defined HPRT variant, HPRTAnn Arbor. Both mutations are within a highly conserved sequence in the putative 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate-binding domain. The amino acid substitution in HPRTMidland causes a significant perturbation in the predicted secondary structure of this region. The HPRTMidland mutation affects a different domain of HPRT than the HPRTFlint mutation located at 167 nt away.     

Alternative splicing of pre-mRNA encoding the Musca domestica latrophilin-like protein(LLP): primary structures of four spliced forms of mRNA and their protein products

An internal DNA fragment (approximately 2000 bp) homologous to the conserved regions of genes encoding latrophilin-like proteins (LLPs) was obtained by the PCR technique using degenerate primers to these gene regions. The gene-specific primers were synthesized based on the results of sequencing of the isolated fragment, and all overlapping cDNA fragments of the llp gene encoding the Musca domestica LLP were obtained by the rapid amplification of cDNA 5'- and 3'-ends (5'- and 3'-RACE). Four alternatively spliced mRNAs were found while sequencing the obtained cDNA fragments. Two long mRNAs (approximately 6000 nt) differ in the structures of both the sites encoding signal peptides and 5'-terminal untranslated regions. They encode large proteins (approximately 1800 aa), whose domain organization is similar to that of mammalian latrophilins. Each deduced protein contains a domain with seven transmembrane regions followed by an extended cytoplasmic C-terminal domain. Two other mRNA forms are derived from these long mRNAs; they encode proteins severly truncated at their C-termini (approximately 900 aa). They are composed of only three transmembrane regions and a short unique cytoplasmic C-terminal domain (23 aa). The limitations and drawbacks of the existing 3'-RACE techniques found during study of the long alternatively spliced cDNAs are analyzed, and ways for overcoming these difficulties are proposed.     

Cloning and localization of hFP(S): a six-transmembrane mRNA splice variant of the human FP prostanoid receptor

FP prostanoid receptors are G-protein coupled receptors that mediate the actions of prostaglandin F2alpha. Two isoforms, designated FP(A) and FP(B), have been previously described. We now report the cloning of a FP receptor mRNA alternative splice variant from human heart and placenta cDNA, named hFP(S). The cDNA encoding hFP(S) has a 71 bp insert that produces a frame shift resulting in a truncated receptor lacking transmembrane-7 and the intracellular carboxyl tail. This 71 bp sequence has been identified as a distinct exon localized in the human FP receptor gene on chromosome one. Northern blot analysis suggests that hFPs is expressed in skeletal muscle as well as human heart and placenta. Immunohistochemical microscopy showed positive immunoreactivity on vascular endothelial, trophoblast, and decidual cells from human placenta. hFPs represents the first confirmed alternative splice variant of the human FP prostanoid receptor gene, however, its function is presently unknown.     

The murine gene encoding the highly conserved Sm B protein contains a nonfunctional alternative 3' splice site.

The cDNA and partial genomic nucleotide (nt) sequences were derived for the mouse Sm B polypeptide and compared to the cDNA and genomic sequences encoding human Sm B. The deduced amino acid (aa) sequences from the mouse and human genes are identical with the exception of a single conserved aa substitution, accounting for the ability of anti-Sm antibodies to recognize the Sm polypeptides from a broad range of species. The genomic sequence of mouse B gene is similar to the human B genomic locus that extends from exon 6 to exon 7. These loci include conservation of both 3' alternative splice sites and putative branch points required to process B and B' mRNAs in human cells. However, the nt sequence downstream from the putative distal 3' splice junction and single nt flanking the 3' splice site consensus sequence, differ between mouse and human B. This results in a murine mRNA with a different predicted secondary structure around the distal 3' splice site when compared to humans. Thus, secondary structural constraints in the mRNA or changes in the exon sequence might prevent recognition of this alternative splice site to form B' mRNA in murine tissues.     

Human mitochondrial ATP synthase: cloning cDNA for the nuclear-encoded precursor of coupling factor 6

Coupling factor 6 (F6) is a component of mitochondrial ATP synthase which is required for the interactions of the catalytic and proton-translocating segments. A human fetal muscle cDNA clone encoding this protein was isolated by screening a lambda gt10 library with oligodeoxyribonucleotide probes. The 497-bp F6 cDNA included a 96-bp segment that delineated a presequence of 32 amino acids (aa) in the precursor protein, and 140 bp of 3'-untranslated sequence. The remainder of the cDNA sequence coded for a mature human F6 protein of 76 aa. The deduced primary aa sequence showed 81% homology to that of bovine F6, differing in 14 aa. Almost all of these aa substitutions were conservative and comparison of the hydropathy profiles revealed a similar pattern.     

绵羊钙调蛋白调节基因Calponin h1 的分子克隆

在一项研究中我们发现雌激素体在胚胎发育后期对绵羊子宫平滑肌Calponin (CaP) 基因的活动有明显上调作用,而CaP一直被作为观察其他基因表达水平变化的基准参照基因（Reference Gene）。迄今为止, 绵羊CaP尚未完整克隆,为进一步了解其结构和功能,根据人、小鼠和家猪的同源保守区序列设计锚定寡核苷酸引物,通过5′-RACE及3′-RACE方法克隆了绵羊子宫平滑肌组织全长CaP h1 cDNA (GenBank登录号： AY327118), 在cDNA序列的基础上, 又通过PCR-SSP方法获得了CaP h1基因除内含子1、2之外的其余4个内含子全部序列 （GenBank登录号分别为：AY771807,AY771808, AY771809, AY771810） 。DNA序列测定和分析表明,绵羊子宫平滑肌CaP h1 cDNA全长1499bp, 编码297个氨基酸,5′-UTR及3′-UTR分别为79bp和529bp。CaP h1基因组DNA的克隆和序列分析表明,绵羊CaP全长约8kb,由 7个外显子和6个内含子组成。 同源序列比较发现,该基因外显子在不同物种间相对保守;与人类、野猪、小鼠、大鼠和鸡Calponin mRNA同源性分别为88％、92％、81％、79％和81％,但不同物种间内含子存在较大差异(>50%)。本研究填补了绵羊CaP基因分子克隆的空白,为进一步研究该基因的功能及子宫平滑肌收缩的调节机理奠定了基础。     

血小板生成素改构体基因的克隆和序列分析

采用PCR技术,根据文献报道的鼠TPO成熟肽基因序列,设计并合成两对引物,以鼠TPO cDNA为模板,扩增获得mTPO N端153个氨基酸的478bp cDNA片段及鼠TPO全长1032bp cDNA片段,mTPO153片段与合成的碱性成纤维生长因子序列中Lys119-Lys135as的51bp肝素结合位点DNA片段连接,克隆到M13mp18及M13mp19载体中进行双向测序;同时将扩增的鼠TPO全长cDNA片段克隆到M13mp18及M13mp19载体中进行双向测序。证明获得鼠血小板生成素与肝素结合位点基因及鼠TPO全长基因,继之以pMAL-C2X为表达载体构建表达质粒,并经PCR及酶切鉴定。     

Aberrant splicing caused by the insertion of the B2 sequence into an intron of the complement C4 gene is the basis for low C4 production in H-2k mice.

The serum level of the fourth component of complement (C4) in mice bearing the H-2k haplotype is only 1/10 to 1/20 of that of non-H-2k mice. We have analyzed C4 cDNA clones from B10.BR(H-2k) mouse liver and found aberrant C4 cDNA which contained a 200-base pair (bp) insertion between the exon 13 and exon 14 encoded sequences in addition to the normal C4 cDNA. The 5' 148 bp and the 3' 52 bp of this insert were derived from the B2 sequence, the short interspersed repeats of mouse genome, and the central part of intron 13, respectively. Sequence analysis of intron 13 of the C4k gene showed the presence of a complete copy of a B2 consensus sequence. The structure of aberrant C4 mRNA indicated that the possible 3' splice site in the B2 sequence and the cryptic 5' splice site in intron 13 were used. Both the insertion of the B2 sequence into intron 13 and the presence of aberrant mRNA in the liver were specific to H-2k-bearing mice, suggesting that the aberrant splicing due to the B2 insertion is the basis for low C4 expression in H-2k mice.