A Human Homologue (BICD1) of theDrosophila Bicaudal-DGene

We previously isolated a cDNA fragment homologous to theDrosophila Bicaudal-Dgene (Bic-D) using a hybridization selection procedure with cosmids derived from the short arm of human chromosome 12. A PCR-mediated cDNA cloning strategy was applied to obtain the coding sequence of the human homologue (BICD1) and to generate a partial mouse (Bicdh1) cDNA. TheDrosophila Bicaudal-Dgene encodes a coiled coil protein, characterized by five α-helix domains and a leucine zipper motif, that forms part of the cytoskeleton and mediates the correct sorting of mRNAs for oocyte- and axis-determining factors during oogenesis. Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence of theBICD1cDNA clones indicates that the sequence similarity is essentially limited to the amphipatic helices and the leucine zipper, but the conserved order of these domains suggests a similar function of the protein in mammalians. A database search further indicates the existence of a second human homologue on chromosome arm 9q and aCaenorhabditis eleganshomologue. Northern blot analysis indicates that both the human and the murine homologues produce an mRNA species of 9.5 kb expressed in brain, heart, and skeletal muscle and during mouse embryonic development. The conserved structural characteristics of theBICD1protein and its expression in muscle and especially brain suggest thatBICD1is a component of a cytoskeleton-based mRNA sorting mechanism conserved during evolution.     

Apoptosis regulatory gene NEDD2 maps to human chromosome segment 7q34–35, a region frequently affected in haematological neoplasms

Developmentally regulated mouse gene Nedd2 encodes a protein similar to the product of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans cell death gene ced-3 and the mammalian interleukin-1-converting enzyme. Overexpression of Nedd2 in cultured mammalian cells induces apoptosis that can be blocked by proto-oncogene BCL2. We have isolated cDNA clones for the human homologue of the mouse gene and, by using these as probes, mapped the human NEDD2 gene to 7q34-35 by fluorescence in situ hybridisation. The potential tumour suppressor function of NEDD2 is discussed.     

Isolation of the Mouse Homologue of BRCA1 and Genetic Mapping to Mouse Chromosome 11

The BRCA1 gene is in large part responsible for hereditary human breast and ovarian cancer. Here we report the isolation of the murineBrca1homologue cDNA clones. In addition, we identified genomic P1 clones that contain most, if not all, of the mouseBrca1locus. DNA sequence analysis revealed that the mouse and human coding regions are 75% identical at the nucleotide level while the predicted amino acid identity is only 58%. A DNA sequence variant in theBrca1locus was identified and used to map this gene on a (Mus m. musculusCzech II × C57BL/KsJ)F1 × C57BL/KsJ intersubspecific backcross to distal mouse chromosome 11. The mapping of this gene to a region highly syntenic with human chromosome 17, coupled with Southern and Northern analyses, confirms that we isolated the murineBrca1homologue rather than a related RING finger gene. The isolation of the mouseBrca1homologue will facilitate the creation of mouse models for germline BRCA1 defects.     

Cloning of the rat steroid sulfatase gene (Sts), a non-pseudoautosomal X-linked gene that undergoes X inactivation

Although the human steroid sulfatase (STS) gene has been cloned and characterized in detail, several attempts to clone its mouse homologue, with either anti-human STS antibodies or human STS cDNA probes, have failed, suggesting a substantial divergence between these genes. However, partial amino-terminal sequence from purified rat liver STS is very similar to its human counterpart, and sequence comparisons have revealed several domains that are conserved among all the sulfatases characterized to date. Thus, we used a degenerate-primer RT-PCR approach to amplify a 321-bp fragment from rat liver cDNA, which was used as a probe to clone and characterize the complete cDNA. Comparison of the protein coding region between the rat and human genes showed 66% homology both at the DNA and the protein levels. STS activity was conferred to STS(−) A9 cells upon transfection with a rat Sts expression construct, indicating the authenticity of the cloned cDNA. While Sts has been shown to be located in the mouse pseudoautosomal region, both physical and genetic mapping demonstrate that Sts is not pseudoautosomal in the rat. The overall genomic organization of rat Sts and human STS is very similar, except that the insertion site for intron 1 in the rat is 26 bp upstream from that in the human. Rat Sts is only 8.2 kb long, while the human STS spans over 146 kb. Received: 24 October 1995 / Accepted: 5 March 1996     

Molecular cloning of the human gene STK10 encoding lymphocyte-oriented kinase, and comparative chromosomal mapping of the human, mouse, and rat homologues

 LOK is a new and unique member of the STE20 family with serine/threonine kinase activity, and its expression is restricted mostly to lymphoid cells in mice. We cloned the cDNA encoding the human homologue of LOK. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA shows a high similarity to that of mouse LOK, with 88% identity as a whole. The kinase domains at the N-terminus and the coiled-coil regions at the C-terminus are particularly conserved, showing 98% and 93% identity, respectively. Western blot analysis with mouse LOK-specific antibody detected 130 000 M _r LOK proteins in human and rat lymphoid cell lines and tissues. The gene encoding the LOK (STK10/Stk10) gene was mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization to chromosome 5q35.1 in human, chromosome 11A4 in mouse, and chromosome 10q12.3 in rat. By virtue of polymorphic CA repeats found in the 3' untranslated region of the mouse Stk10 gene, the Stk10 locus was further pinpointed to chromosome 11 between D11Mit53 and D11Mit84, using the intersubspecific backcross mapping panel. These results established STK10 as a new marker of human chromosome 5 to define the syntenic boundary of human chromosomes 5 and 16 on mouse chromosome 11. Received: 28 September 1998 / Revised: 2 November 1998     

Molecular cloning, characterization, and chromosomal localization of the mouse homologue of CD84, a member of the CD2 family of cell surface molecules

 CD84 is a member of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily (IgSF) with two Ig-like domains expressed primarily on B lymphocytes and macrophages. Here we describe the cloning of the mouse homologue of human CD84. Mouse CD84 cDNA clones were isolated from a macrophage library. The nucleotide sequence of mouse CD84 was shown to include an open reading frame encoding a putative 329 amino acid protein composed of a 21 amino acid leader peptide, two extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, a hydrophobic transmembrane region, and an 87 amino acid cytoplasmic domain. Mouse CD84 shares 57.3% amino acid sequence identity (88.7%, considering conservative amino acid substitutions) with the human homologue. Chromosome localization studies mapped the mouse CD84 gene to distal chromosome 1 adjacent to the gene for Ly-9, placing it close to the region where other members of the CD2 IgSF (CD48 and 2B4) have been mapped. Northern blot analysis revealed that the expression of mouse CD84 was predominantly restricted to hematopoietic tissues. Two species of mRNA of 3.6 kilobases (kb) and 1.5 kb were observed. The finding that the pattern of expression was restricted to the hematopoietic system and the conserved sequence of the mouse CD84 homologue suggests that the function of the CD84 glycoprotein may be similar in humans and mice. Received: 1 July 1998 / Revised: 31 August 1998     

Coding Sequence, Genomic Organization, Chromosomal Localization, and Expression Pattern of the Signalosome ComponentCops2:The Mouse Homologue ofDrosophila Alien

TheDrosophila aliengene is highly homologous to the human thyroid receptor interacting protein, TRIP15/COPS2, which is a component of the recently identified signalosome protein complex. We identified the mouse homologue ofDrosophila alienthrough homology searches of the EST database. We found that the mouse cDNA encodes a predicted 443-amino-acid protein, which migrates at 50 kDa. The gene for the mousealienhomologue, namedCops2,includes 12 coding exons spanning 30 kb of genomic DNA on the central portion of mouse chromosome 2. MouseCops2is widely expressed in embryonic, fetal, and adult tissues beginning as early as E7.5. MouseCops2cDNA hybridizes to two mRNA bands in all tissues at 2.3 and 4 kb, with an additional 1.9-kb band in liver. Immunostaining of native and epitope tagged proteins localized the mouseCops2protein in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus, with larger amounts in the nucleus in some cells.     

Assignment of the human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor gene (CSF3R) to chromosome 1 at region p35–p34.3

The gene for the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) receptor (CSF3R) was localized on the p35–p34.3 region of human chromosome 1 by in situ hybridization using human G-CSF receptor cDNA as the probe. Polymerase chain reaction using oligonucleotides specific for the human CSF3R produced a specifically amplified DNA fragment with DNA from mouse A9 cells that contained human chromosome 1 but not other human chromosomes. Localization of the CSF3R on chromosome 1 was further confirmed by the spot-blot hybridization of sorted human chromosomes.     

Cloning, expression, and mapping of PDCD9, the human homolog of Gallus gallus pro-apoptotic protein p52

We report the sequence, tissue distribution, and chromosome location of a novel gene, PDCD9 (programmed cell death 9). PDCD9 is the mammalian counterpart of the Gallus gallus pro-apoptotic protein p52. The human cDNA has an open reading frame of 1,314 nucleotides and was predicted to encode a protein of 438 amino acids with a calculated mass of 50 kDa. The protein sequences of chicken, mouse, and human PDCD9 are remarkably conserved. PDCD9 mRNA is expressed ubiquitously in adult tissues, displaying a stronger signal in heart, skeletal muscle, kidney, and liver. PDCD9 was mapped to chromosome 5q11.     

果蝇程序化死亡基因5(PDCD5)同源cDNA的克隆和序列分析

 为了解人类白血病细胞凋亡相关新基因 TFAR1 9(PDCD5,programmed cell death5)在不同种属间的序列同源性 ,利用 EST(expression sequence tag)拼接、RT- PCR、DNA序列测定技术及计算机分析技术 ,首次成功地进行了果蝇 PDCD5同源 c DNA编码区基因克隆和序列分析 .发现果蝇与小鼠及果蝇与人 PDCD5在核苷酸水平上分别有 57.5%和 57.1 %的同源性 ,在氨基酸水平上分别有 46.8%和 46.4%的同源性 .功能区分析发现 ,果蝇 PDCD5c DNA编码 1 33个氨基酸 ,计算机预测可能是一种核蛋白 ,含 5个可能的酪蛋白激酶 (casein kinase )磷酸化位点 ,2个可能的 PKC磷酸化位点 ,与人 PDCD5的功能区类似 .因而果蝇 PDCD5是与人 PDCD5同源的新基因 ,可能都与细胞程序化死亡相关 .     

A human homologue of the yeast GST1 gene codes for a GTP-binding protein and is expressed in a proliferation-dependent manner in mammalian cells.

A human homologue (GST1-Hs) of the yeast GST1 gene that encodes a new GTP-binding protein essential for the G1-to-S phase transition of the cell cycle was cloned from the cDNA library of human KB cells. The GST1-Hs cDNA contained a 1497 bp open reading frame coding for a 499 amino acid protein with mol. wt 55,754 and with the amino acid sequence homologies of 52.3 and 37.8% to the GST1 protein and polypeptide chain elongation factor EF1 alpha respectively. The regions potentially responsible for GTP binding and GTP hydrolysis were conserved in the GST1-Hs protein as well. When expressed in yeast cell, the GST1-Hs gene could complement the ts phenotype of yeast gst1 mutant. GST1-Hs and its mouse homologue were expressed in human fibroblasts and in various mouse cell types respectively, at relatively low levels in their quiescent states, and the level of those expressions increased rapidly, prior to the onset of DNA replication and the total RNA synthesis, when human or mouse fibroblasts were progressed out of the growth-arrested state by the addition of serum. A possible role of GST1-Hs in mammalian cell growth is discussed.     

Molecular Cloning and Chromosomal Localization of the MouseGpr37Gene Encoding an Orphan G-Protein-Coupled Peptide Receptor Expressed in Brain and Testis

We report the cloning of the mouse ortholog of the humanGPR37gene, which encodes an orphan G-protein-coupled receptor highly expressed in brain tissues and homologous to neuropeptide-specific receptors ([20],Genomics 45:68–77;[45],Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 233:559–567). The genomic organization of theGPR37gene is conserved in both mouse and human species with a single intron interrupting the receptor-coding sequence within the presumed third transmembrane domain. Comparative genetic mapping of theGPR37gene showed that it maps to a conserved chromosomal segment on proximal mouse chromosome 6 and human chromosome 7q31. The mouseGpr37gene contains an open reading frame coding for a 600-amino-acid protein 83% identical to the humanGPR37gene product. The predicted mouse GPR37 protein contains seven putative hydrophobic transmembrane domains, as well as a long (249 amino acid residues), arginine- and proline-rich amino-terminal extracellular domain, which is also a distinctive feature of the human GPR37 receptor. Northern blot analysis of mouse tissues withGpr37-specific probes revealed a main 3.8-kb mRNA and a much less abundant 8-kb mRNA, both expressed in the brain. A 3-kb mRNA is also expressed in the testis. Both the mouse and the humanGPR37genes may belong to a class of highly conserved mammalian genes encoding a novel type of G-protein-coupled receptor predominantly expressed in the brain.     

Membrane and secretory forms of mouse membrane cofactor protein (CD46) generated from a single gene through alternative splicing

 A cDNA encoding a new secretory form of mouse membrane cofactor protein (MCP, CD46) was identified additionally to the membrane form cDNA. The secretory MCP, predicted from the cDNA sequence, consisted of the conserved four short consensus repeats (SCRs) plus a four amino acid-stretch. Unlike human MCP which comprises many isoforms, mouse MCP cDNA predicted a single isoform of membrane MCP with cytoplasmic tail 1 (CYT1) and serine/threonine-rich domain C (ST^C). To clarify the genomic origin and monomorphic alteration of these cDNAs, we cloned and analyzed a mouse genomic DNA harboring the full coding sequence of MCP from a 129/SV mouse genomic library. The mouse Mcp was a single gene ∼50 kilobases long. Eleven of the 14 coding exons of the human MCP gene and intron-exon boundary sequences were found to be conserved in the mouse gene. The ST^C homologue but not the ST^A or ST^B homologue in the mouse exons was functional: the latter being due to deletions and lack of consensus sequences for splicing. The sequence equivalent to cytoplasmic tail 2 (CYT2) has not been identified in the Mcp genome. Thus, the three exons (ST^A, ST^B, and probably CYT2) responsible for the polymorphism of human MCP by differential splicing were missing in the mouse Mcp gene. Unlike the case in humans, no Mcp-related genes or pseudogenes were observed in the mouse genome. The single mouse Mcp gene was mapped to the R-positive H5 band of mouse Chromosome 1 by FISH. Strikingly, one alternative exon with 73 base pairs (encoding the four new amino acids and a TGA stop codon) was discovered between the SCRIV and the ST^C exons; alternative splicing causes the generation of the secretory form of mouse MCP. These results on mouse MCP, together with the information concerning other mouse SCR proteins, infer that the regulator of complement activation (RCA) gene cluster is genetically diverged between humans and mice. Received: 22 April 1999 / Revised: 21 June 1999     

A pore-forming protein,perforin, from a non-mammalian organism,Japanese flounder,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis>

A perforin cDNA of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, was cloned from a cDNA library of kidney stimulated with ConA/PMA. The full-length cDNA is 2,157 bp, which encodes 587 amino acids. The Japanese flounder perforin gene consists of five exons and four introns, with a length of approximately 3 kb. The amino acid sequence of the Japanese flounder perforin is 36% identical to that of rat perforin and 37% identical to amino acid sequences of mouse and human perforin. The Japanese flounder perforin also showed low homology to human and mouse complement components (C6, C7, C8 and C9), ranging from 19% to 24%. However, the membrane attack complex/perforin domain is conserved. A phylogenetic analysis placed the Japanese flounder perforin in the same cluster with other known mammalian perforins. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the perforin gene was expressed in the peripheral blood leukocytes, head kidney, trunk kidney, spleen, heart, gill and intestine of healthy fish. Recombinant perforin produced in insect cells using the baculovirus expression system showed calcium-dependent hemolytic activity.     

Molecular Cloning of a Gene on Chromosome 19q12 Coding for a Novel Intracellular Protein: Analysis of Expression in Human and Mouse Tissues and in Human Tumor Cells, Particularly Reed–Sternberg Cells in Hodgkin Disease

A novel protein, named NNX3, was molecularly characterized by cloning its cDNA, and its gene was mapped to chromosome 19q12. The equivalent mouse cDNA and gene were also cloned to allow us to analyze expression in murine in addition to human cells and tissues. Human and mouse NNX3 genes are composed of nine exons coding for proteins that are unrelated to any known protein. Signal peptides and hydrophobic domains are absent, corroborating their localization in the cytoplasm in transfected Cos cells. In Western blotting and immunoprecipitation, human NNX3 appeared as a doublet ofM_r64K–66K, while mouse NNX3 was a 70-kDa protein, both apparently much larger than the predicted 50 kDa, due in part to a stretch of 16–18 acidic residues hinging two nearly equally sized domains. In addition, phosphorylation of serine residues was demonstrated. Putative nuclear targeting signals were predicted, but NNX3 protein and two truncated versions remained localized in the cytoplasm of transfected Cos cells. NNX3 was expressed in embryonic and adult mouse tissues, particularly in brain, muscle, and lung. The expression of human NNX3 was most notable in human skeletal muscle and in ganglion cells and was also evident in human tumors and derived cell lines. This was confirmed by entries appearing in the GenBank EST database during the later phase of this study, representing partial NNX3 cDNA isolated from diverse neoplastic and developing tissues. Surprisingly, NNX3 was immunochemically detected in Reed–Sternberg cells of Hodgkin disease, in parallel with restin, a cytoplasmic protein we previously characterized (J. Delabieet al.,1993,Leuk. Lymphoma 12,21–26). The cloning and comprehensive molecular analysis of NNX3 as presented will form the basis for elucidating its function and, conversely, will constitute a marker for Reed–Sternberg cells in Hodgkin disease.