Characterization of a cDNA encoding a proline-rich 14 kDa protein in developing cortical cells of the roots of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seedlings

A cDNA clone, corresponding to mRNAs preferentially expressed in the roots of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seedlings, was isolated. This clone contains a 381 bp open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 13.5 kDa, designated PVR5 (Phaseolus vulgaris root 5). The amino acid sequence of this clone is rich in proline (13.5%) and leucine (12.7%) and shares significant amino acid sequence homology with root-specific and proline-rich proteins from monocots (maize and rice), and proline-rich proteins from dicots (carrot, oilseed rape, and Madagascar periwinkle). The precise biological roles of these polypeptides are unknown. PVR5 mRNA accumulation is developmentally regulated within the root, with high levels at the root apex and declining levels at distances further from the root tip. In situ hybridization shows that PVR5 mRNA specifically accumulates in the cortical ground meristem in which maximal cell division occurs. Southern blot analysis suggests that genomic DNA corresponding to PVR5 cDNA is encoded by a single gene or a small gene family.     

Molecular cloning and expression of a Schistosoma japonicum tegumental membrane-associated antigen from Japanese strain

Diagnosis and vaccine development form the major focus in creating strategies for the control of schistosomiasis. In this study, we established an IgG1 mouse monoclonal antibody (MoAb), SJA111, which strongly reacted with 23–25-kDa Schistosoma japonicum tegumental-associated membrane proteins, but not with eight other parasitic antigens. A λgt 11 cDNA library from the Japanese strain of the Schistosoma japonicum adult worm was screened with SJA111 as a probe. A single positive clone was isolated and the nucleotide sequence of the isolated cDNA was determined. The cDNA clone consisted of 844 bp, and the coding region contained 576 bp which was translated to a 22.6-kDa protein. This region showed 99.0% and 99.3% significant homology with those of the Chinese and Philippine strains of Schistosoma japonicum, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence of the protein was identical to that of the Philippine strain and only one residue differed from that of the Chinese strain. The recombinant form of the tegumental protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by a combination of ion exchange and affinity chromatography, and the purified protein was found to react with the sera of patients infected with Schistosoma japonicum. This result suggests that this antigen may be useful in the immunodiagnosis of schistosomiasis as well as in the development of an effective vaccine.     

Amino acid sequence of the Homo sapiens brain 21-23-kDa protein (Neuropolypeptide h3), comparison with its counterparts from Rattus norvegicus and Bos taurus species,and expression of its mRNA in different tissues

The amino acid sequence of neuropolypeptide h3 from Homo sapiens brain has been determined. It revealed that h3 is the exact counterpart of the 21-kDa protein from Bos taurus brain and the 23-kDa protein from Rattus norvegicus brain: The three proteins belong to the same 21-23-kDa protein family. Multiple tissue Northern blots showed that the mRNA encoding the 21-23-kDa protein is expressed in different amounts according to tissues and species; it is particularly abundant in Rattus norvegicus testis.Correspondence to: F. Schoentgen     

Cloning and expression of a gene coding for the major light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein of photosystem II in the green alga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dunaliella salina</Emphasis>

Genes encoding proteins of the major light-harvesting complex of photosystem II (LHCII) in higher plants are well studied. However, little is known about the corresponding genes in the green alga Dunaliella salina, although this knowledge might provide valuable information about the respective roles of each LHCII protein at the molecular level under extreme environmental conditions. Here, we describe an additional LhcII gene from D. salina. An LhcII cDNA cloned by screening a D. salina cDNA library contains an open reading frame encoding a protein of 261 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 27.8 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence shows high homology with other LHCII proteins. Genomic DNA—obtained by PCR using a specific primer set corresponding to the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions—was used to determine the intron-exon structure. Short-term changes in mRNA levels after a shift from low-light to high-light or dark conditions were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR, and indicated that this gene expresses different mRNA levels under different light conditions.     

Characterization of a cDNA encoding the protein moiety of a putative arabinogalactan protein from Lycopersicon esculentum

The nucleotide sequence of a cDNA prepared from poly(A)⁺ RNA from Lycopersicon esculentum fruit codes for a protein, M _r 20812, with features representative of the protein core of arabinogalactan proteins. The deduced amino acid sequence resembles that of peptides of arabinogalactan proteins isolated from carrot and rose and is most similar to the sequence of tryptic peptides from Lolium multiflorum (Gleeson et al., Biochem J 264 (1989) 857–862). The similar sequences include a number of Ala-Pro repeats, a feature considered distinctive of arabinogalactan proteins. The amino acid composition is similar to that of the peptide core of the Lolium multiflorum arabinogalactan protein; alanine, serine and proline account for 57% of the polypeptide. The mRNA corresponding to the cDNA sequence was detected in roots, leaves and fruit. The levels of mRNA are reduced in older leaves, in fruit that have commenced ripening and in leaves and fruit that have been wounded.     

Reconstitution of the spinach oxygen-evolving complex with recombinant Arabidopsis manganese-stabilizing protein

The psbO gene of cyanobacteria, green algae and higher plants encodes the precursor of the 33 kDa manganese-stabilizing protein (MSP), a water-soluble subunit of photosystem II (PSII). Using a pET-T7 cloning/expression system, we have expressed in Escherichia coli a full-length cDNA clone of psbO from Arabidopsis thaliana. Upon induction, high levels of the precursor protein accumulated in cells grown with vigorous aeration. In cells grown under weak aeration, the mature protein accumulated upon induction. In cells grown with moderate aeration, the ratio of precursor to mature MSP decreased as the optical density at induction increased. Both forms of the protein accumulated as inclusion bodies from which the mature protein could be released under mildly denaturing conditions that did not release the precursor. Renatured Arabidopsis MSP was 87% as effective as isolated spinach MSP in restoring O₂ evolution activity to MSP-depleted PSII membranes from spinach; however, the heterologous protein binds to spinach PSIIs with about half the affinity of the native protein. We also report a correction to the previously published DNA sequence of Arabidopsis psbO (Ko et al., Plant Mol Biol 14 (1990) 217–227).     

Partial degradation of the extrinsic 23-kDa protein of the Photosystem II complex of spinach

Chymotrypsin eliminated nine amino acid residues at the amino-terminal side of the extrinsic 23-kDa protein of the oxygen-evolving Photosystem II complex of spinach. The resultant 22-kDa fragment was able to bind to the Photosystem II complex but with lowered binding affinity. However, once the 22-kDa fragment bound to the complex, it retained most functions of the 23-kDa protein; the fragment provided a binding site for the extrinsic 18-kDa protein, preserved a tight trap for Ca²⁺ in the complex, and shifted the optimum Cl⁻ concentration for oxygen evolution from 30 to 10 mM, although it was less effective in sustaining oxygen evolution at Cl⁻ concentrations below 10 mM. These observations suggest that the elimination of nine amino acid residues at the amino-terminal region of the 23-kDa protein does not significantly alter the conformation of the protein, except for partial modification of its binding site and its interaction with Cl⁻.     

Identification of the cDNA clone which encodes the 58-kDa protein containing the amino acid sequence of rat liver non-specific lipid-transfer protein (sterol-carrier protein 2). Homology with rat peroxisomal and mitochondrial 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolases

The relationship between the rat liver non-specific lipid-transfer protein (nsLTP) and the 58-kDa protein cross-reactive with anti-nsLTP antibodies, was investigated by cDNA analysis. A 1945-bp cDNA clone was isolated which encodes a 58.7-kDa protein. This protein is identical to the 58-kDa immunoreactive protein determined by N-terminal sequence analysis of the purified 58-kDa protein. It consists of 546 amino acid residues, of which the 123 C-terminal residues are identical to the sequence of nsLTP. The N-terminal 400 amino acid residues of the 58.7-kDa protein were found to have 23.5% identity with the sequence of both mitochondrial and peroxisomal rat 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolases, including a hypothetical substrate-binding site. The cDNA insert hybridizes with 1.1-kb, 1.7-kb, 2.4-kb and 3.0-kb mRNA species in RNA isolated from various rat tissues and from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Southern blot analysis suggests that these mRNA species are generated from a single gene. Mutant CHO cells, deficient in peroxisomes, lack nsLTP. We have found that the mRNA encoding nsLTP is still present in these cells, which suggests that the absence of this protein is related to the lack of peroxisomes.     

Cloning of a Partial Length cDNA Encoding the C-Terminal Portion of the 75-77-kDa Antigen of Trypanosoma cruzi

ABSTRACT It has been suggested that several Trypanosoma cruzi antigens have possible protective epitopes which may be suitable vaccine candidates. We found previously that animals resistant to T. cruzi infection produced antibodies against the 75-77-kDa parasite antigen. To test the ability of the recombinant form of this antigen to protect animals from T. cruzi infection, the cDNA which encodes a portion of the 75-77-kDa antigen was cloned using a cDNA library constructed in an orientation-specific bacteriophage expression vector (λgt11) from poly (A)⁺ RNA of Brazil strain epimastigotes. One clone, named SFS-40, was selected by screening the library using affinity purified antibodies specific for the 75-77-kDa parasite antigen as probe. The cDNA corresponding to the 1.7-kilobase insert of SFS-40 was subcloned into plasmid vectors and characterized. The cDNA sequence encodes a polypeptide of about 40 kDa. The putative product of the cDNA was homologous to members of the 70-kDa stress protein family. When epimastigotes were shifted from 29° C to 37° C, there was no change in the level of SFS-40 mRNA. In contrast, the 70-kDa heat shock protein mRNA of the parasite was increased about four fold by this treatment.