Isolation and characterization of a tobacco cDNA clone encoding a putative MAP kinase

We have isolated and sequenced a MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase-type cDNA from a tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cell suspension cDNA library by screening with a PCR fragment amplified from the same library with oligonucleotide primers corresponding to two sequences conserved in yeast and animal MAP kinases. The tobacco sequence, ntf3, shows 45–54% identity to various members of the MAP kinase family at the protein level. Northern experiments showed that ntf3 is expressed in all tobacco tissues tested, including pollen isolated at different developmental stages. Southern analysis indicated that, as in other organisms, there is a family of MAP kinase genes in tobacco. In complementary tests, ntf3 could not substitute the yeast MAP kinase genes fus3 and kss1.     

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA encoding a synaptonemal complex protein.

A gene encoding a 65-kilodalton antigen of the rat synaptonemal complex, SC65, has been cloned by screening rat testis lambda gt11 and lambda ZAPII cDNA expression libraries using polyclonal antibodies against rat synaptonemal complex proteins. The longest open reading frame, initiating at an ATG codon in the cDNA, encodes a protein of 431 amino acids, with a relative molecular mass of 50,000. Immunological analysis locates the SC65 gene product on the synaptonemal complex between the pairing faces of the parallel aligned cores of homologous chromosomes in spermatocytes. Of the rat tissues examined, the SC65 gene is transcribed in testis, brain, and heart at similar levels, and in the liver at a much lower level. The DNA sequence extending about 80 base pairs downstream of the translation termination codon has 93% similarity to the identifier sequence present in the rat genome in 1 x 10(5)-1.5 x 10(5) copies and in cDNA clones of precursors of brain-specific mRNAs. The amino acid sequence encoded by the SC65 gene contains an acidic region in the C-terminal domain of the protein, potential glycosylation sites, and at least one possible phosphorylation site. The protein shows no overall similarity to proteins of known function, nor is there similarity to protein sequences present in GenBank or EMBL data bases.     

Isolation and characterization of a blue copper protein from Thiobacillus versutus

The blue copper protein induced during growth of Thiobacillus versutus on methylamine was purified and characterized. It is an acidic protein (isoelectric point 4.7), contains one Cu2+ ion/enzyme molecule, is a monomeric protein (molecular mass about 14 kDa), has a maximum in its absorption spectrum at 596 nm (molar absorption coefficient 3.9 X 10(3) M-1 cm-1), shows an axial type-I electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum (g parallel = 2.239, g perpendicular = 2.046 and A parallel = 5.6 mT) and has a redox potential (Eo) of + 260 mV. In view of these properties and in view of the fact that the protein is active as an electron carrier between methylamine dehydrogenase and cytochrome c, it is concluded that it is similar to the amicyanins isolated from Methylomonas sp. strain J and Pseudomonas sp. strain AM 1.     

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA encoding the zebra finch myelin proteolipid protein

A cDNA was isolated from a zebra finch telencephalon cDNA library that encodes the myelin proteolipid protein. The clone was 2874 nucleotides long containing an open reading frame of 831 nucleotides that encoded a 277 amino acid myelin proteolipid protein. The 5-and 3 untranslated regions were 112 and 1931 nucleotides, respectively. In Northern blots the clone hybridized to 3 bands of 3.5, 2.4 and 1.5 Kb in mouse brain RNA, but to only a single band of 3.0 kb in zebra finch brain RNA, suggesting the lack of alternative polyadenylation sites within the 3 untranslated region of the zebra finch PLP mRNAs. There was a small degree of homology between the zebra finch and chicken PLP 5 untranslated regions, but relatively little homology of the 5 untranslated regions of the zebra finch PLP cDNA clone with the homologous regions of PLP cDNAs of many mammalian species. Except for a small stretch of considerable homology, there was little overall homology with the 3 untranslated regions of mammalian PLP mRNAs. Approximately 10% (i.e. 28) of the amino acids in the zebra finch PLP differed from mammalian PLP, with most of these changes located within exon 3. There were 16 amino acid changes between zebra finch and chicken, suggesting that greater sequence variation in PLP structure is tolerated among avian species than among mammalian species.Abbreviations DM20 25 kDa proteolipid protein in myelin - PLP classic 30 kDa myelin proteolipid protein Special issue dedicated to Dr. Marjorie B. Lees.     

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA clone encoding the major hsp70 of the pea chloroplastic stroma

The 70-kD heat shock proteins (hsp70s) are a group of ubiquitous, highly conserved molecular chaperones that have been implicated in a variety of processes, ranging from DNA replication to protein folding and transport. To learn more about the evolution and possible functions of higher plant chloroplastic hsp70s, we isolated a cDNA clone encoding the major stromal hsp70 of pea chloroplasts, which we term CSS1 (Chloroplastic Stress Seventy). This cDNA clone encodes a 75,490-D protein that is very closely related to an hsp70 from the cyanobacterium, Synechocystis. CSS1 is nuclear encoded and synthesized as a higher molecular mass precursor with a chloroplastic transit peptide approximately 65 amino acids long. CSS1 mRNA was detected in RNA samples from leaves and roots of pea (Pisum sativum) plants grown at 18°C but increased 9- and 6-fold, respectively, after brief exposure of the plants to elevated temperature. We discuss the possible role(s) of CSS1 in chloroplastic protein transport and other processes.     

Isolation and characterization of a human putative receptor protein kinase cDNA STYK1*

Protein kinases (PKs) represent a well studied but most diverse protein superfamily. The covalent, reversible linkage of phosphate to serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues of substrate proteins by protein kinases is probably ubiquitous cellular mechanism for regulation of physiological processes. It is known to us that most signaling pathways impinge at some point on protein kinases. Here we report a human putative receptor protein kinase cDNA STYK1. The STYK1 cDNA is 2749 base pairs in length and contains an open reading frame encoding 422 amino acids. The STYK1 gene is mapped to human chromosome 12p13 and 11 exons were found. RT-PCR showed that STYK1 is widely expressed in human tissues.     

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA encoding a chick alpha-actinin

We have isolated and sequenced a 2.1-kilobase cDNA encoding 86% of the sequence of alpha-actinin. The cDNA clone was isolated from a chick embryo fibroblast cDNA library constructed in the expression vector lambda gt11. Identification of this sequence as alpha-actinin was confirmed by immunological methods and by comparing the deduced protein sequence with the sequence of several CNBr fragments obtained from adult chicken smooth muscle (gizzard) alpha-actinin. The deduced protein sequence shows two distinct domains, one of which consists of four repeats of approximately 120 amino acids. This region corresponds to a previously identified 50-kDa tryptic peptide involved in formation of the alpha-actinin dimer. The last 19 residues of C-terminal sequence display an homology with the so-called E-F hand of Ca2+-binding proteins. Hybridization analysis reveals only one size of mRNA (approximately 3.5 kilobases) in fibroblasts, but multiple bands in genomic cDNA.     

Isolation and characterisation of the cDNA encoding a glycosylated accessory protein of pea chloroplast DNA polymerase.

The cDNA encoding p43, a DNA binding protein from pea chloroplasts (ct) that binds to cognate DNA polymerase and stimulates the polymerase activity, has been cloned and characterised. The characteristic sequence motifs of hydroxyproline-rich glyco-proteins (HRGP) are present in the cDNA corres-ponding to the N-terminal domain of the mature p43. The protein was found to be highly O-arabinosylated. Chemically deglycosylated p43 (i.e. p29) retains its binding to both DNA and pea ct-DNA polymerase but fails to stimulate the DNA polymerase activity. The mature p43 is synthesised as a pre-p43 protein containing a 59 amino acid long transit peptide which undergoes stromal cleavage as evidenced from the post-translational in vitro import of the precursor protein into the isolated intact pea chloroplasts. Surprisingly, p43 is found only in pea chloroplasts. The unique features present in the cloned cDNA indicate that p43 is a novel member of the HRGP family of proteins. Besides p43, no other DNA-polymerase accessory protein with O-glycosylation has been reported yet.     

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA clone encoding the anti-viral protein from Phytolacca americana

Phytolacca anti-viral protein (PAP) was purified from Phytolacca leaves and the N-terminal was sequenced. A cDNA library was made from mRNAs isolated from Phytolacca leaves and cDNA clones for PAP were identified using oligonucleotide probes derived from the N-terminal amino acid sequence. The PAP-cDNA clone was sequenced from both directions. The predicted amino acid sequence of PAP was compared with the amino acid sequences of other ribosome-inactivating proteins. The identities of these proteins to PAP ranged from 29 to 38%, and a region was found in each with a sequence similar to the PAP sequence (AIQMVSEAARFKYI). Southern blot analysis indicates that PAP is encoded by a multi-gene family.Abbreviations MAP Mirabilis jalapa anti-viral protein - PAP Phytolacca anti-viral protein - SO6 30 kDa ribosome-inactivating protein from the seeds of Saponaria officinalis     

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA encoding rat cationic trypsinogen

A cDNA encoding rat cationic trypsinogen has been isolated by immunoscreening from a rat pancreas cDNA library. The protein encoded by this cDNA is highly basic and contains all of the structural features observed in trypsinogens. The amino acid sequence of rat cationic trypsinogen is 75% and 77% homologous to the two anionic rat trypsinogens. The homology of rat cationic trypsinogen to these anionic trypsinogens is lower than its homology to other mammalian cationic trypsinogens, suggesting that anionic and cationic trypsins probably diverged prior to the divergence of rodents and ungulates. The most unusual feature of this trypsinogen is the presence of an activation peptide containing five aspartic acid residues, in contrast to all other reported trypsinogen activation peptides which contain four acidic amino acid residues. Comparisons of cationic and anionic trypsins reveal that the majority of the charge changes occur in the C-terminal portion of the protein, which forms the substrate binding site. Several regions of conserved charge differences between cationic and anionic trypsins have been identified in this region, which may influence the rate of hydrolysis of protein substrates.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of anther-preferential cDNA encoding a putative actin-depolymerizing factor

A cDNA clone, LMP131A, which is preferentially expressed in mature anther was isolated from a lily cDNA library. Northern blot analysis and plaque hybridization expriments showed that the LMP131A mRNA is present at ca. 0.3% of the mRNA in mature pollen and is not detectable in carpel, petal, floral bud, leaf, or root. The clone contains an open reading frame of 139 amino acid residues which shows greater than 40% sequence identity in a 91 amino acid overlap to animal actin-depolymerizing factors (ADF), cofilin and destrin. The sequences at and near the actin-binding site are most conserved. Using the lily clone as a probe, a cDNA clone, BMP1, was isolated from a mature anther library of Brassica napus. The expression pattern of the BMP1 clone was the same as that of the lily clone. The Brassica anther-preferential clone contains an open reading frame which is 79% identical to the lily LMP131A protein. Southern blot analysis showed that there are one or a few copies of the putative ADF genes in B. napus and Arabidopsis thaliana.     

Isolation and characterization of cDNA encoding a spicule matrix protein in Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus micromeres.

A cDNA clone, termed pHPSMC, was obtained from the Japanese sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus, and it was found to be highly homologous in sequence to the spicule matrix protein cDNA of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (Sucov et al., Dev. Biol. 120: 507-519, 1987). During early embryogenesis, mRNA complementary to pHPSMC appeared in gastrulae and remained at a similar level until the pluteus stage. In situ hybridization revealed that the mRNA was localized exclusively in primary mesenchyme cells in gastrulae. pHPSMC mRNA was detected in micromeres in vitro after 48 h of culture, but it was not found in blastomeres immediately after isolation. These features suggested that pHPSMC represents the spicule matrix protein cDNA cognate in Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. In the derived polypeptide, we detected a domain containing a tandemly repeated 13-amino acid sequence as did Sucov et al. (1987). Unexpectedly, the sequence of the repeated element was completely different from that originally reported for Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, but it was very similar to the corrected sequence that appeared recently.