Cellular localization and characterization of proteins that bind high density lipoprotein.

High density lipoprotein (HDL) stimulates excretion of excess intracellular cholesterol from cells, presumably by interacting with a cell-surface receptor. A 110 kDa membrane protein that is a candidate for the HDL receptor has been identified by ligand blot analysis. In this study we determined the cellular localization of this and other HDL-binding proteins and characterized their properties. The plasma membranes (PM) of cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells were labeled with trace amounts of [3H]cholesterol, and cell homogenates were fractionated on sucrose and Percoll gradients. Ligand blot analysis of homogenates of cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells demonstrated that cells contain multiple proteins that bind HDL3, including a major membrane protein with an apparent M(r) of 110 kDa and two minor ones with M(r) of 105 and 130 kDa. The gradient distribution of the 105, 110, and 130 kDa HDL-binding proteins mirrored that of labeled cholesterol and 5'-nucleotidase, both PM markers. Treatment of intact cells with the water-soluble cross-linker bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)suberate abolished the HDL binding activity of the 110 and 130 kDa proteins but not that of the 105 kDa protein. These findings suggest that the 105, 110, and 130 kDa HDL-binding proteins are localized to the PM and that at least two of these proteins are exposed to the extracellular fluid. Solubilized 110 and 130 kDa proteins were retained on wheat-germ agglutinin and abrin lectin columns, showing that they are glycoproteins. The cellular localization and physical properties of the 110 and 130 kDa proteins suggest that they may play a role in binding of HDL to the cell surface.     

Interleukin-3 signals through multiple isoforms of Stat5.

The interleukin (IL)-3 family of cytokines mediates its numerous effects on myeloid growth and maturation by binding a family of related receptors. It has been shown recently that IL-3 induces the activation of two distinct cytoplasmic signal transducing factors (STFs) that are likely to mediate the induction of immediate early genes. In immature myeloid cells, IL-3 activates STF-IL-3a, which comprises two tyrosine-phosphorylated DNA binding proteins of 77 and 80 kDa. In mature myeloid cells, IL-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor activate STF-IL-3b, which consists of a 94 and 96 kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated DNA binding protein. Peptide sequence data obtained from the purified 77 and 80 kDa proteins (p77 and p80) indicate that they are closely related but are encoded by distinct genes. Both peptide and nucleotide sequence data demonstrate that these two proteins are the murine homologs of ovine mammary gland factor (MGF)/Stat5. The peptide data also indicate that p77 and p80 are phosphorylated on tyrosine 699, a position analogous to the tyrosine that is phosphorylated in Stat1 and Stat2 in response to interferon. Additionally, antiserum raised against bacterially expressed p77/p80 recognizes the 94 and 96 kDa protein components of STF-IL-3b, suggesting that these may be additional isoforms of Stat5. These studies indicate that the IL-3 family of ligands is able to activate multiple isoforms of the signal transducing protein Stat5.     

Proline-rich cell wall proteins accumulate in growing regions and phloem tissue in response to water deficit in common bean seedlings

Plant cell walls undergo dynamic changes in response to different environmental stress conditions. In response to water deficit, two related proline-rich glycoproteins, called p33 and p36, accumulate in the soluble fraction of the cell walls in Phaseolus vulgaris (Covarrubias et al. in Plant Physiol 107:1119–1128, 1995). In this work, we show that p33 and p36 are able to form a 240 kDa oligomer, which is found in the cell wall soluble fraction. We present evidence indicating that the highest accumulation of these proteins in response to water deficit occurs in the growing regions of common bean seedlings, particularly in the phloem tissues. These proteins were detected in P. vulgaris cell suspension cultures, where the p33/p36 ratio was higher under hyperosmotic conditions than in bean seedlings subjected to the same treatment. The results support a role for these proteins during the plant cell response to changes in its water status, and suggest that cell wall modifications are induced in active growing cells of common bean in response to water limitation. Marina Battaglia and Rosa M. Solórzano contributed equally to this work.     

Presence of a poly(A) binding protein and two proteins with cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation in Crithidia fasciculata mRNA cycling sequence binding protein II

Crithidia fasciculata cycling sequence binding proteins (CSBP) have been shown to bind with high specificity to sequence elements present in several mRNAs that accumulate periodically during the cell cycle. The first described CSBP has subunits of 35.6 (CSBPA) and 42 kDa (CSBPB). A second distinct binding protein termed CSBP II has been purified from CSBPA null mutant cells, lacking both CSBPA and CSBPB proteins, and contains three major polypeptides with predicted molecular masses of 63, 44.5, and 33 kDa. Polypeptides of identical size were radiolabeled in UV cross-linking assays performed with purified CSBP II and 32P-labeled RNA probes containing six copies of the cycling sequence. The CSBP II binding activity was found to cycle in parallel with target mRNA levels during progression through the cell cycle. We have cloned genes encoding these three CSBP II proteins, termed RBP63, RBP45, and RBP33, and characterized their binding properties. The RBP63 protein is a member of the poly(A) binding protein family. Homologs of RBP45 and RBP33 proteins were found only among the kinetoplastids. Both RBP45 and RBP33 proteins and their homologs have a conserved carboxy-terminal half that contains a PSP1-like domain. All three CSBP II proteins show specificity for binding the wild-type cycling sequence in vitro. RBP45 and RBP33 are phosphoproteins, and RBP45 has been found to bind in vivo specifically to target mRNA containing cycling sequences. The levels of phosphorylation of both RBP45 and RBP33 were found to cycle during the cell cycle.     

Biochemical Characterization of Annexins I and II Isolated from Pig Nervous Tissue

Five proteins having molecular masses of 90, 67, 37, 36, and 32 kDa (p90, p67, p37, p36, and p32, respectively) were identified in the particulate fractions of pig brain cortex and pig spinal cord prepared in the presence of 0.2 mM Ca2+ and further purified using a protocol previously described for the purification of calpactins. Proteins p90, p37, and p36 are related to annexins I and II. Annexin II, represented by p90, is found as an heterotetramer, composed of two heavy chains of 36 kDa and two light chains of 11 kDa, and as a monomer of 36 kDa. Protein p37, which differs immunologically from p36, is a monomer and could be related to annexin I. All three proteins are Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipid- and F-actin-binding proteins; they are phosphorylated on a serine and on a tyrosine residue by protein kinases associated with synaptic plasma membranes. Purified p36 monomer and p36 heterotetramer proteins bind to actin at millimolar Ca2+ concentrations. The stoichiometry of p36 binding to F-actin at saturation is 1:2, corresponding to one tetramer or monomer of calpactin for two actin monomers (KD, 3 x 10(-6) M). Synaptic plasma membranes supplemented with the monomeric or tetrameric forms of p36 phosphorylate the proteins on a serine residue. The monomer is phosphorylated on a serine residue by a Ca(2+)-independent protein kinase, whereas the heterotetramer is phosphorylated on a serine residue and a tyrosine residue by Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinases. Antibodies to brain p37 and p36 together with antibodies to lymphocytes lipocortins 1 and 2 were used to follow the distribution of these proteins in nervous tissues. Polypeptides of 37, 34, and 36 kDa cross-react with these antibodies. Anti-p37 and antilipocortin 1 cross-react on the same 37- and 34-kDa polypeptides; anti-p36 and antilipocortin 2 cross-react only on the 36-kDa polypeptides.     

Matrix vesicle annexins exhibit proteolipid-like properties. Selective partitioning into lipophilic solvents under acidic conditions

Calcifiable proteolipids present in mineralizing tissues have been postulated to enhance apatite deposition by structuring membrane phosphatidylserine molecules into a conformation conducive to mineral formation. To examine whether proteolipid-like molecules are present in mineralizable matrix vesicles (MV), the vesicles were first extracted with chloroform/methanol (2:1, v/v), and then with chloroform/methanol/HCl (200:100:1, v/v) and the organic-soluble proteins subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. Protein fractions were analyzed by Coomassie Blue staining and by immunoblot analysis of electrophoretically transferred MV protein with antisera to the 33- and 36-kDa annexins. We found that several MV proteins selectively partitioned into the lipophilic milieu under acidic conditions; however, very little protein did so at neutral pH. The principal organic-soluble MV proteins had molecular masses of 14, 33, and 36 kDa, with lesser bands at 28, 30, and 68 kDa. Immunological analyses revealed that the 33- and 36-kDa proteins were the MV annexins; the 14-kDa protein appeared to be hemoglobin, based on NH2-terminal sequencing. Our findings indicate that under acidic conditions the 33- and 36-kDa MV annexins undergo a conformational change which imparts a marked increase in the hydrophobicity of the proteins. While these observations reveal that the annexins possess proteolipid-like properties, radiolabeling and immunoprecipitation studies using [3H]myristic acid in chondrocyte cultures indicate that the MV annexins are not myristylated. Amino-terminal sequence analysis of the peptides generated by site-specific cleavage of the 33- and the 36-kDa MV annexins at tryptophan residues indicate that the 33 kDa is highly homologous to anchorin CII, a protein known to bind type II collagen, while the 36-kDa protein shares close homology with endonexin II, a tyrosine kinase substrate.     

Characteristics of the cell surface antigen, p72, associated with a variety of human tumours and mitogen-stimulated T-lymphoblasts

We recently purified two closely related 33 kDa proteins from rat hepatic cytosol, designated bile acid binder I and II, which selectively bind bile acids with comparable affinity as glutathione S-transferase B. This work has now been extended to human liver in which we have identified a similar cytosolic binding activity in the 30-40 kDa fraction from gel filtration. Subsequent chromatofocusing and hydroxyapatite chromatography resulted in the isolation of a homogeneous monomeric protein of 36 kDa. The binding affinity of this protein for lithocholate using the displacement of 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) was 0.1 microM, whereas human hepatic glutathione S-transferases purified from glutathione affinity chromatography demonstrated no competitive displacement of ANS.     

Characterization of the RNA-binding domains in the replicase proteins of tomato bushy stunt virus

Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), a tombusvirus with a nonsegmented, plus-stranded RNA genome, codes for two essential replicase proteins. The sequence of one of the replicase proteins, namely p33, overlaps with the N-terminal domain of p92, which contains the signature motifs of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps) in its nonoverlapping C-terminal portion. In this work, we demonstrate that both replicase proteins bind to RNA in vitro based on gel mobility shift and surface plasmon resonance measurements. We also show evidence that the binding of p33 to single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) is stronger than binding to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), ssDNA, or dsDNA in vitro. Competition experiments with ssRNA revealed that p33 binds to a TBSV-derived sequence with higher affinity than to other nonviral ssRNA sequences. Additional studies revealed that p33 could bind to RNA in a cooperative manner. Using deletion derivatives of the Escherichia coli-expressed recombinant proteins in gel mobility shift and Northwestern assays, we demonstrate that p33 and the overlapping domain of p92, based on its sequence identity with p33, contain an arginine- and proline-rich RNA-binding motif (termed RPR, which has the sequence RPRRRP). This motif is highly conserved among tombusviruses and related carmoviruses, and it is similar to the arginine-rich motif present in the Tat trans-activator protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1. We also find that the nonoverlapping C-terminal domain of p92 contains additional RNA-binding regions. Interestingly, the location of one of the RNA-binding domains in p92 is similar to the RNA-binding domain of the NS5B RdRp protein of hepatitis C virus.     

Novel isoforms of CaBP 33/37 (annexin V) from mammalian brain: structural and phosphorylation differences that suggest distinct biological roles.

Two calcium-dependent phospholipid- and membrane-binding proteins have been purified from bovine brain. These are termed CaBP33 and CaBP37. Complete sequence analysis has revealed that these two proteins are isoforms of annexin V. Despite an apparent difference of 4 kDa between the two proteins on SDS-PAGE, only two amino-acid substitutions were found. These are, in CaBP33, Ser-36 and Lys-125 and in CaBP37, Thr-36 and Glu-125. This corresponds to a mass difference of 15 Da. This was confirmed by electrospray mass spectrometric analysis. Both isoforms can be phosphorylated substoichiometrically in vitro by protein kinase C at residue Thr-22.     

Comparison of cell wall localization among Pir family proteins and functional dissection of the region required for cell wall binding and bud scar recruitment of Pir1p

We examined the localization of the Pir protein family (Pir1 to Pir4), which is covalently linked to the cell wall in an unknown manner. In contrast to the other Pir proteins, a fusion of Pir1p and monomeric red fluorescent protein distributed in clusters in pir1Delta cells throughout the period of cultivation, indicating that Pir1p is localized in bud scars. Further microscopic analysis revealed that Pir1p is expressed inside the chitin rings of the bud scars. Stepwise deletion of the eight units of the repetitive sequence of Pir1p revealed that one unit is enough for the protein to bind bud scars and that the extent of binding of Pir1p to the cell wall depends on the number of these repetitive units. The localization of a chimeric Pir1p in which the repetitive sequence of Pir1p was replaced with that of Pir4p revealed the functional role of the different protein regions, specifically, that the repetitive sequence is required for binding to the cell wall and that the C-terminal sequence is needed for recruitment to bud scars. This is the first report that bud scars contain proteins like Pir1p as internal components.     

Comparison of amylase-binding proteins in oral streptococci

Abstract Certain species of oral streptococci bind salivary amylase to their cell surface. The patterns of amylase-binding proteins produced by a range of streptococci have been compared by ligand blotting and several characteristics of the binding proteins investigated. Streptococcus gordonii was the most homogeneous species and almost all strains produced proteins migrating with molecular mass 82 kDa and 20 kDa. Other species were more heterogeneous, releasing proteins that resolved at 87 or 82 kDa and/or between 20 and 36 kDa. Binding of amylase to the 82/87-kDa proteins on ligand blots was prevented by amylase inhibitors, amylase substrates and periodate treatment but these had limited or no effect on amylase binding to 20–36 kDa proteins. Also, the 20 kDa protein of S. gordonii Challis was released into culture medium before the 82-kDa protein. These data suggest that there is significant variation in amylase-binding proteins among streptococci and that the high and low molecular mass proteins differ in the way they interact with salivary amylase.     

Characterization of a modular, cell-surface protein and identification of a new gene family in the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana

We report the characterization of a cell-surface protein isolated from copper-stressed cells of the centric diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana Hasle and Heimdal (CCMP 1335). This protein has an apparent molecular weight of 100kDa and is highly acidic. The 100kDa protein (p100) sequence is comprised almost entirely of a novel domain termed TpRCR for T. pseudonana repetitive cysteine-rich domain, that is repeated 8 times and that contains conserved aromatic, acidic, and potential metal-binding amino acids. The analysis of the T. pseudonana genome suggests that p100 belongs to a large family of modular proteins that consist of a variable number of TpRCR domain repeats. Based on cell surface biotinylation and antibody data, p100 appears to migrate more rapidly with SDS-PAGE when extracted from cells exposed to high levels of copper; however, the discovery of a large family of TpRCR domain-containing proteins leaves open the possibility that the antibody may be cross-reacting with members of this protein family that are responding differently to copper. The response of the gene encoding p100 at the mRNA level during synchronized progression through the normal cell cycle is similar to previously characterized genes in T. pseudonana encoding cell wall proteins called silaffins.     

Novel lectin-like proteins on the surface of human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 cells that recognize oxidized cells

Presence of lectin-like receptors on the membranes of human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 cells for clustered sialylated poly-N-acetyllactosaminyl sugar chains on the membranes of oxidized erythrocytes and T-lympoid cells was investigated. Membranes of THP-1 cells differentiated into macrophages were solubilized, and the membrane proteins obtained by affinity chromatographies using lactoferrin-Sepharose and band 3-Sepharose were purified by successive DE column chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Proteins of 50, 60, and 80 kDa with specificity to bind to sialylated poly-N-acetyllactosaminyl sugar chains were detected in the chromatographic fractions. A 50-kDa protein was isolated in a pure form. N-Terminal amino acid sequence of the protein was Lys-Gln-Lys-Val-Ala-Gly-Lys-Gln-Pro-Val-, which has not been found in the N-terminal regions of the hitherto known proteins. The antibody, raised against the chemially synthesized peptide composed of the N-terminal amino acid sequence, bound to 50-, 60-, and 80-kDa proteins as analyzed by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation, indicating that these proteins had the same N-terminal amino acid sequence. The results demonstrate that THP-1 cells have novel 50-, 60-, and 80-kDa lectin-like proteins with the same N-terminal amino acid sequence on the cell surface which would bind to clustered sialylated poly-N-acetyllactosaminyl sugar chains generated on oxidized erythrocytes and T-lymphoid cells.     

Proteins homologous to leaf glycoproteins are abundant in stems of dark-grown soybean seedlings. Analysis of proteins and cDNAs

We report here the cloning and sequence analysis of cDNAs for a pair of closely related proteins from soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr. cv. Williams 82) stems. Both proteins are abundant in soluble extracts of seedling stems but not of roots. One of these proteins (M _r=28 kDa) is also foundd in the cell wall fraction of stems and actumulates there when seedlings are exposed to mild water deficit for 48 h. The mRNA for these proteins is most abundant in the stem region which contains dividing cells, less abundant in elongating and mature stem cells, and rare in roots. Using antiserum against the 28 kDa protein, we isolated cDNA clones encoding it and an antigenically related 31 kDa protein. The two cDNAs are 80% homologous in nucleotide and amino acid coding sequence. The predicted proteins have similar hydropathy profiles, and contain putative NH₂-terminal signal sequences and a single putative N-linked glycosylation site. The two proteins differ significantly in calculated pI (28 kDa=8.6; 31 kDa=5.8), and the charge difference is demonstrated on two-dimensional gels. The proteins described here may function as somatic storage proteins during early seedling development, and are closely related to glycoproteins which accumulate in vacuoles of paraveinal mesophyll cells of fully expanded soybean leaves when plants are depodded.     

Isolation and characterization of a new 36-kDa microfibril-associated glycoprotein from porcine aorta

A new connective tissue protein of 36 kDa has been purified from porcine aorta. The biochemical and immunological properties of the protein are distinct from those of microfibril-associated proteins reported previously such as lysyl oxidase, 31-kDa microfibril-associated glycoprotein, and fibrillin. It could bind to concanavalin A-Sepharose and gelatin-Sepharose. The protein contained the sequence Arg-Gly-Asp-Ala in the amino-terminal region, which is the site for the association with cell and extracellular matrix. Using specific antibody raised to the protein, we demonstrated its restricted localization in aorta adventitia. Immunoelectron microscopy specified its location to a class of extracellular structural elements described as elastin-microfibrils.     

Mammary gland Ca2+-binding (-dependent) proteins: Identification as calelectrins and calpactin I/p36

Calcium-binding (-dependent) proteins (CBPs) associated with the spreading of mammary epithelial cell cultures have been identified as various calelectrins and calpactins (p36). In immunoblot analysis, the CBPs of 30–36 kD and 68–70 KD variously react with different calelectrin and calpactin I monomer/p36 antisera. The same immunoreactive proteins were shown to be present in virgin mammary glands and collagen gel mouse mammary epithelial cell cultures. The mammary CBPs show extensive immunochemical relatedness; however, they fail to show cross-reaction with antiserum to calpactin II (lipocortin) antiserum. These immunoreactive CBPs comigrate in electrophoresis with ³⁵S-methionine-labeled CBPs isolated from mammary epithelial cell cultures. Unlike calmodulin, the mammary CBPs that correspond to calelectrins and calpactin I monomer/p36 are not stable to thermal denaturation. The mammary CBPs bind to epithelial cell membranes in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner and are differentially released from ruptured cells, compared with calmodulin, suggesting subcellular localization. Phenothiazineagarose and phenylagarose are equivalent in their ability to bind the mammary CBPs. Thus, mammary gland CBPs of 30–36 kD and 68–70 kD have been shown to be related or equivalent to the calelectrins and to calpactin I monomer/p36. Since these proteins are known to bind Ca²⁺, we conclude that the mammary gland CBPs are also Ca²⁺-binding proteins. The mammary gland CBPs are immunologically related and probably represent members of a larger family of related proteins.     

Characterization of a pattern recognition protein, a masquerade-like protein, in the freshwater crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus

A multifunctional masquerade-like protein has been isolated, purified, and characterized from hemocytes of the freshwater crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus. It was isolated by its Escherichia coli binding property, and it binds to formaldehyde-treated Gram-negative bacteria as well as to yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whereas it does not bind to formaldehyde-fixed Gram-positive bacteria. The intact masquerade (mas)-like protein is present in crayfish hemocytes as a heterodimer composed of two subunits with molecular masses of 134 and 129 kDa. Under reducing conditions the molecular masses of the intact proteins are not changed. After binding to bacteria or yeast cell walls, the mas-like protein is processed by a proteolytic enzyme. The 134 kDa of the processed protein yields four subunits of 65, 47, 33, and 29 kDa, and the 129-kDa protein results in four subunits of 63, 47, 33, and 29 kDa in 10% SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. The 33-kDa protein could be purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using an Ab to the C-terminal part of the mas-like protein. This subunit of the mas-like protein has cell adhesion activity, whereas the two intact proteins, 134 and 129 kDa, have binding activity to LPSs, glucans, Gram-negative bacteria, and yeast. E. coli coated with the mas-like protein were more rapidly cleared in crayfish than only E. coli, suggesting this protein is an opsonin. Therefore, the cell adhesion and opsonic activities of the mas-like protein suggest that it plays a role as an innate immune protein.     

Various characteristics of proteins from HeLa cella specifically binding to the human ALU sequence

Two proteins with molecular weights of 40 and 80 kDa which are able to bind human Alu-repeat in a sequence-specific manner were found in HeLa nuclear extracts. The proteins were partially purified by column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, phosphocellulose and FPLC MonoQ sorbent. One of the Alu-binding proteins (ABP2 with m. w. of 80 kDa) was found to bind the sequence within the Alu-repeat that has a homology with the T-antigen binding site of SV40, suggesting that ABP2 is the cellular analog of SV40 T-antigen.     

Purification and characterization of an alpha-actinin-binding PDZ-LIM protein that is up-regulated during muscle differentiation.

alpha-Actinin is required for the organization and function of the contractile machinery of muscle. In order to understand more precisely the molecular mechanisms by which alpha-actinin might contribute to the formation and maintenance of the contractile apparatus within muscle cells, we performed a screen to identify novel alpha-actinin binding partners present in chicken smooth muscle cells. In this paper, we report the identification, purification, and characterization of a 36-kDa smooth muscle protein (p36) that interacts with alpha-actinin. Using a variety of in vitro binding assays, we demonstrate that the association between alpha-actinin and p36 is direct, specific, and saturable and exhibits a moderate affinity. Furthermore, native co-immunoprecipitation reveals that the two proteins are complexed in vivo. p36 is expressed in cardiac muscle and tissues enriched in smooth muscle. Interestingly, in skeletal muscle, a closely related protein of 40 kDa (p40) is detected. The expression of p36 and p40 is dramatically up-regulated during smooth and skeletal muscle differentiation, respectively, and p40 colocalizes with alpha-actinin at the Z-lines of differentiated myotubes. We have established the relationship between p36 and p40 by molecular cloning of cDNAs that encode both proteins and have determined that they are the products of a single gene. Both proteins display an identical N-terminal PDZ domain and an identical C-terminal LIM domain; an internal 63-amino acid sequence present in p36 is replaced by a unique 111-amino acid sequence in p40. Analysis of the sequences of p36 and p40 suggest that they are the avian forms of the actinin-associated LIM proteins (ALPs) recently described in rat (Xia, H., Winokur, S. T., Kuo, W.-L., Altherr, M. R., and Bredt, D. S. (1997) J. Cell Biol. 139, 507-515). The expression of the human ALP gene has been postulated to be affected by mutations that cause facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy; thus, the characterization of ALP function may ultimately provide insight into the mechanism of this disease.     

Characterization of the Crithidia fasciculata mRNA Cycling Sequence Binding Proteins

The Crithidia fasciculata cycling sequence binding protein (CSBP) binds with high specificity to sequence elements in several mRNAs that accumulate periodically during the cell cycle. Mutations in these sequence elements abolish both cycling of the mRNA and binding of CSBP. Two genes, CSBPA and CSBPB, encoding putative subunits of CSBP have been cloned and were found to be present in tandem on the same DNA molecule and to be closely related. CSBPA and CSBPB are predicted to encode proteins with sizes of 35.6 and 42.0 kDa, respectively. Both CSBPA and CSBPB proteins have a predicted coiled-coil domain near the N terminus and a novel histidine and cysteine motif near the C terminus. The latter motif is conserved in other trypanosomatid species. Gel sieving chromatography and glycerol gradient sedimentation results indicate that CSBP has a molecular mass in excess of 200 kDa and an extended structure. Recombinant CSBPA and CSBPB also bind specifically to the cycling sequence and together can be reconstituted to give an RNA gel shift similar to that of purified CSBP. Proteins in cell extracts bind to an RNA probe containing six copies of the cycling sequence. The RNA-protein complexes contain both CSBPA and CSBPB, and the binding activity cycles in near synchrony with target mRNA levels. CSBPA and CSBPB mRNA and protein levels show little variation throughout the cell cycle, suggesting that additional factors are involved in the cyclic binding to the cycling sequence elements.