Isolation and sequence analysis of a cDNA encoding rat liver alpha-L-fucosidase.

cDNA clones for alpha-L-fucosidase were isolated from a rat liver lambda gt11 expression library by using both monospecific polyclonal antibodies against the affinity-purified enzyme and biotinylated rat liver fucosidase cDNA sequences as probes. The largest clone, lambda FC9, contained a 1522 bp full-length cDNA insert (FC9) that encoded the 434-amino acid-residue subunit (Mr 50439) of rat liver alpha-L-fucosidase. A putative signal peptide 28 amino acid residues in length preceded the sequence for the mature protein. In addition, FC9 specified for 11 nucleotide residues of 5' untranslated sequence, 78 nucleotide residues of 3' untranslated sequence and a poly(A) tail. The deduced amino acid sequence from FC9 in conjunction with the experimentally determined N-terminus of the mature enzyme suggested that rat liver fucosidase did not contain a pro-segment. However, there was the possibility of limited N-terminal processing (one to five amino acid residues) having occurred after removal of the predicted signal peptide. Amino acid sequences deduced from FC9 were co-linear with amino acid sequences measured at the N-terminus of purified fucosidase and on two of its CNBr-cleavage peptides. An unusual aspect of rat liver alpha-L-fucosidase protein structure obtained from the FC9 data was its high content of tryptophan (6%). The coding sequence from FC9 showed 82% sequence identity with that from a previously reported incomplete human fucosidase sequence [O'Brien, Willems, Fukushima, de Wet, Darby, DiCioccio, Fowler & Shows, (1987) Enzyme 38, 45-53].     

Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA for rat liver uricase

We have isolated cDNA clones for rat liver uricase using an oligonucleotide corresponding to the N-terminal sequence of 8 amino acids. The nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs have been determined, and the amino acid sequence of the protein deduced. A 867-base open reading frame coding for 289 amino acids, corresponding to a molecular mass of 33,274 daltons, was confirmed by matching eight sequences of a total of 53 amino acids from peptide sequence analyses of the fragments generated by lysyl endopeptidase digestion of purified rat liver uricase. The deduced amino acid sequence of rat liver uricase shares 40% homology with that of soybean nodulin-specific uricase and has an N-terminal extension of 7 amino acids. In contrast, soybean uricase has a C-terminal extension of 12 amino acids, which is presumably the result of local gene duplication. Completely different N- and C-terminal structures of the two uricases suggest that the signals for targeting the proteins to the peroxisome are not located on the terminal continuous stretches of amino acids.     

Cloning and sequence determination of cDNA encoding a second rat liver peroxisomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase

3-Ketoacyl-coenzyme A thiolase (thiolase) catalyzes the final step of the fatty acid beta-oxidation pathway in peroxisomes. Thiolase is unique among rat liver peroxisomal enzymes in that it is synthesized as a precursor possessing a 26-amino acid (aa) N-terminal extension which is cleaved to generate the mature enzyme. To facilitate further examination of the synthesis, intracellular transport and processing of this enzyme, cDNA clones were selected from a lambda gt11 rat liver library using antiserum raised against peroxisomal thiolase. Upon sequencing several cDNA clones, it was revealed that there are at least two distinct thiolase enzymes localized to rat liver peroxisomes, one identical to the previously published rat liver peroxisomal thiolase (thiolase 1) [Hijikata et al., J. Biol. Chem. 262 (1987) 8151-8158] and a novel thiolase (thiolase 2). The THL2 cDNA possesses a single open reading frame of 1302 nucleotides (nt) encoding a protein of 434 aa (Mr 44790). The coding region of THL2 cDNA exhibits 94.6% nt sequence identity with THL1 and 95.4% identity at the level of aa sequence. Northern-blot analysis indicates that the mRNA encoding thiolase 2 is approx. 1.7 kb in size. The mRNA encoding thiolase 2 is induced approx. twofold upon treatment of rats with the peroxisome-proliferating drug, clofibrate. In contrast, the thiolase 1 mRNA is induced more than tenfold under similar conditions.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA encoding a precursor for rat brain natriuretic peptide

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a new type of natriuretic peptide, which has so far been identified only in porcine brain and atrium. Immunological observations suggest that rat and porcine BNP may have structural difference according to species. To identify rat BNP, we constructed a rat atrial cDNA library, and screened for clones encoding rat BNP-precursor by using part of porcine BNP cDNA as a probe. By sequencing a cloned cDNA, the amino acid sequence of rat BNP-precursor comprising 121 residues was deduced as carrying a 26-residue putative signal peptide at the N-terminus and a region homologous to porcine BNP-32 at the C-terminus. In addition, remarkably high homology between rat and porcine BNP-precursors was observed in the 3'-untranslated AT-rich region. Comparing sequences of precursors of ANP and BNP thus far identified, structural and processing features characteristic of the BNP family were discussed.     

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of cDNA encoding human liver serine-pyruvate aminotransferase

Cloned cDNAs for human liver serine-pyruvate aminotransferase (Ser-PyrAT) were obtained by screening of a human liver cDNA library with a fragment of cDNA for rat mitochondrial Ser-PyrAT as a probe. Two clones were isolated from 50,000 transformants. Both clones contained approximately 1.5 kb cDNA inserts and were shown to almost completely overlap each other on restriction enzyme mapping and DNA sequencing. The nucleotide sequence of the mRNA coding for human liver Ser-PyrAT was determined from those of the cDNA clones. The mRNA comprises at least 1487 nucleotides, and encodes a polypeptide consisting of 392 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 43,039 Da. The amino acid composition determined on acid hydrolysis of the purified enzyme showed good agreement with that deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA. In vitro translation of the mRNA derived from one of the isolated clones, pHspt12, as well as that of mRNA extracted from human liver, yielded a product of 43 kDa which reacted with rabbit anti-(rat mitochondrial Ser-PyrAT) serum. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of human Ser-PyrAT and the mature form of rat mitochondrial Ser-PyrAT revealed 79.3% identity. Although human Ser-PyrAT appears to be synthesized as the mature size, the 5'-noncoding region of human Ser-PyrAT mRNA contains a nucleotide sequence which would encode, if translated, an amino acid sequence similar to that of the N-terminal extension peptide of the precursor for rat mitochondrial Ser-PyrAT.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of the cDNA encoding a snake neurotoxin precursor

A recombinant plasmid has been constructed containing a sequence of 186 nucleotides encoding a potent neurotoxin found in the venom of the sea-snake Laticauda semifasciata and designated as erabutoxin a. This sequence is flanked, in the upstream region, by a sequence of 60 nucleotides encoding a hydrophobic peptide fragment presumably involved in the secretion process of the neurotoxin. The sequence coding for the toxin ends with a termination codon which is followed by a 3'-untranslated sequence of approximately 240 nucleotides (excluding the poly(A) tract).     

Nucleotide sequence of a cDNA encoding murine fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase.

Hereditary tyrosinemia type I is caused by deficiency of the enzyme fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) (EC 3.7.1.2), the final step in tyrosine degradation. We report here the cloning and sequencing of a full length cDNA coding for murine FAH. This cDNA is highly homologous to the previously cloned human and rat genes.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of a cDNA encoding a precursor for rat C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP).

Recent identification of a C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) in porcine brain strongly suggested that a third member of the natriuretic peptide family still remains to be identified in other species of mammals. A cDNA encoding a precursor for rat CNP was cloned from a rat brain cDNA library and sequenced. The precursor was a 126-residue peptide, carrying a 23-residue signal sequence at the N-terminus and the known porcine CNP-53 sequence at the C-terminus. By RNA blot analysis, rat CNP mRNA was found to be expressed exclusively in the brain, implying that CNP may function in the central nervous system as a neuropeptide.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of a cDNA for a rat liver glutathione S-transferase Yb subunit.

We have isolated a Yb-subunit cDNA clone from a GSH S-transferase (GST) cDNA library made from rat liver polysomal poly(A) RNAs. Sequence analysis of one of these cDNA, pGTR200, revealed an open reading frame of 218 amino acids of Mr = 25,915. The deduced sequence is in agreement with the 19 NH2-terminal residues for GST-A. The sequence of pGTR200 differs from another Yb cDNA, pGTA/C44 by four nucleotides and two amino acids in the coding region, thus revealing sequence microheterogeneity. The cDNA insert in pGTR200 also contains 36 nucleotides in the 5' noncoding region and a complete 3' noncoding region. The Yb subunit cDNA shares very limited homology with those of the Ya or Yc cDNAs, but has relatively higher sequence homology to the placental subunit Yp clone pGP5. The mRNA of pGTR200 is not expressed abundantly in rat hearts and seminal vesicles. Therefore, the GST subunit sequence of pGTR200 probably represents a basic Yb subunit. Genomic DNA hybridization patterns showed a complexity consistent with having a multigene family for Yb subunits. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of the Ya, Yb, Yc, and Yp subunits revealed significant conservation of amino acids (approximately 29%) throughout the coding sequences. These results indicate that the rat GSTs are products of at least four different genes that may constitute a supergene family.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA encoding Rhizopus niveus lipase.

Complementary DNA encoding Rhizopus niveus lipase (RNL) was isolated from the R. niveus IF04759 cDNA library using a synthetic oligonucleotide corresponding to the amino acid sequence of the enzyme. A clone, which had an insert of 1.0 kilobase pairs, was found to contain the coding region of the enzyme. The lipase gene was expressed in Escherichia coli as a lacZ fusion protein. The mature RNL consisted of 297 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 32 kDa. The RNL sequence showed significant overall homology to Rhizomucor miehei lipase and the putative active site residues were strictly conserved.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA encoding a precursor for human brain natriuretic peptide

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a novel diuretic-natriuretic and vasorelaxant peptide originally isolated from porcine brain. In contrast to mammalian atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), immunological characterization suggests that mammalian BNPs show structural species differences. In order to determine the amino acid sequence of human BNP, we constructed a human cardiac atrium cDNA library and screened for clones hybridizing with porcine BNP cDNA. By sequence analysis of cDNA encoding a putative human BNP precursor, an amino acid sequence of human prepro-BNP of 134 residues has been deduced, in which a minimum bioactive unit highly homologous to porcine BNP-32 is present at the carboxy-terminus.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of a cDNA encoding poly-ubiquitin in human ovarian granulosa cells

A cDNA clone, pHGR21 encoding poly-ubiquitin, was isolated from a human ovarian granulosa cDNA library. This clone contained three complete, and part of a fourth, ubiquitin coding sequence joined head to tail with no spacer sequences. Northern analysis employing a restriction fragment comprising a complete ubiquitin coding unit indicated the existence of two mRNA species of 1.1kb and 2.8kb. Sequence comparison of pHGR21 with the known two human ubiquitin genes revealed differences to the human ubiquitin-3 repeat gene but significant homology to the human ubiquitin-9 repeat gene. The untranslated 3'-region and the adjacent ubiquitin coding repeat were found to be identical to that of the human ubiquitin-9 repeat gene. The other 3 ubiquitin coding repeats were of close homology to the fourth ubiquitin coding repeat of the human ubiquitin-9 repeat gene. These findings suggest the existence of yet another human poly-ubiquitin gene.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA encoding thiamin-binding proteins from sesame seeds

The amino acid sequences of the large polypeptides of thiamin-binding proteins (TBPs) from sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.) seeds (STBP-I, -II and -III) were analyzed. The large polypeptides of STBP-I, -II and -III had the same amino acid sequences as did their small polypeptides. The peptide sequence information obtained from STBPs was used to synthesize DNA primers for amplification of the gene(s) encoding STBPs. A 200-bp fragment was amplified from cDNA synthesized from RNA from sesame seeds 4 weeks after flowering. The 200-bp fragment was used to clone full-length cDNA(s) encoding STBP(s) with RACE techniques. A 644-bp fragment was amplified, cloned and sequenced. The cDNA was a full-length clone encoding STBP(s). It contained an open reading frame, which defined a 143-residue polypeptide. The identified small and large polypeptide sequences of STBPs exactly matched the sequence encoded within the cDNA clone. These results indicated that the small and large polypeptides of STBPs were encoded on the mRNA as a single large proprotein precursor and that the final mature forms were generated by post-translational processing in the same manner as the other 2S albumins of plant seeds.     

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of human liver cDNA encoding for cystathionine gamma-lyase.

We have cloned and sequenced a full-length cDNA (1083 bp) encoding the human liver cystathionine-gamma-lyase enzyme (cystathionase). The human cystathionase sequence presented a substantial deletion of 132 bases (44 amino acids) compared to that reported for rat cystathionase, and of 135 bases (45 amino acids) compared to that reported for yeast cystathionase. After re-alignment for the missing nucleotides, the human cDNA sequence shows significant amino acid homology to that for the rat enzyme (85%) and the yeast enzyme (50%). A search for an undeleted cDNA, by the polymerase chain reaction, yielded a second clone which contained the missing 132 bases. Flanking nucleotides in the latter clone were identical to those in the cDNA clone containing the deletion. The two forms of human cystathionase deduced from the two cDNA clones may be derived from two different genes or may be splice variants.     

Cloning of a complete cDNA encoding human aromatase: immunochemical identification and sequence analysis

A complete cDNA clone encoding a human aromatase was isolated from a human placental cDNA library in lambda gt11. An antibody to the polypeptide specified by the isolated clone was prepared, and Western blot analysis and antibody inhibition experiments of human placental aromatase activity confirmed the identification of the clone as aromatase cDNA. The isolated aromatase cDNA clone of 3030 bp with two unique EcoRI sites contained a 3'-noncoding region of 1397 bp, an open reading frame of 1509 bp encoding 503 amino acid residues, and a 5'-noncoding region of 124 bp. Analysis of the amino acid sequence of aromatase and comparison of aromatase with other forms of cytochrome P-450 indicated that this enzyme is a unique form of the cytochrome P-450 superfamily.