Homodimerization of the human U1 snRNP-specific protein C.

The U1 snRNP-specific protein C contains an N-terminal zinc finger-like CH motif which is required for the binding of the U1C protein to the U1 snRNP particle. Recently a similar motif was reported to be essential for in vivo homodimerization of the yeast splicing factor PRP9. In the present study we demonstrate that the human U1C protein is able to form homodimers as well. U1C homodimers are found when (i) the human U1C protein is expressed in Escherichia coli, (ii) immunoprecipitations with anti-U1C antibodies are performed on in vitro translated U1C, and when (iii) the yeast two hybrid system is used. Analyses of mutant U1C proteins in an in vitro dimerization assay and the yeast two hybrid system revealed that amino acids within the CH motif, i.e. between positions 22 and 30, are required for homodimerization.     

Structure and chromosomal location of the human gene encoding cartilage matrix protein

Cartilage matrix protein (CMP) is a major component of the extracellular matrix of nonarticular cartilage. The structure and chromosomal location of the human gene encoding CMP was determined by molecular cloning analysis. We used a partial chicken CMP cDNA probe to isolate three overlapping human genomic clones. From one of these clones, a probe containing 2 human CMP exons was isolated and used to map the gene to chromosome 1p35 and to screen a human retina cDNA library. Two overlapping cDNA clones were isolated. The predicted protein sequence of 496 amino acids includes a 22-residue signal peptide and a 474-residue mature protein of Mr 51,344. The human CMP gene and polypeptide are strikingly similar to the chicken CMP gene and polypeptide. Human CMP is 79% identical to chicken CMP and contains two homologous domains separated by an epidermal growth factor-like domain. One potential N-glycosylation site is conserved between the two species. The human CMP gene spans 12 kilobase pairs with 8 exons and 7 introns which are similar in size to those of the chicken CMP gene. Both RNA splice junctions of intron G in the human and chicken CMP genes are nonconforming to the consensus splice sequences. This suggests that the CMP gene utilizes a new RNA splicing mechanism.     

Structure and evolutionary origin of the gene encoding a human serum mannose-binding protein.

The N-terminal sequence of the major human serum mannose-binding protein (MBP1) was shown to be identical at all positions determined with the amino acid sequence predicted from a cDNA clone of a human liver MBP mRNA. An oligonucleotide corresponding to part of the sequence of this cDNA clone was used to isolate a cosmid genomic clone containing a homologous gene. The intron/exon structure of this gene was found to closely resemble that of the gene encoding a rat liver MBP (MBP A). The nucleotide sequence of the exons differed in several places from that of the human cDNA clone published by Ezekowitz, Day & Herman [(1988) J. Exp. Med. 167, 1034-1046]. The MBP molecule comprises a signal peptide, a cysteine-rich domain, a collagen-like domain, a 'neck' region and a carbohydrate-binding domain. Each domain is encoded by a separate exon. This genomic organization lends support to the hypothesis that the gene arose during evolution by a process of exon shuffling. Several consensus sequences that may be involved in controlling the expression of human serum MBP have been identified in the promoter region of the gene. The consensus sequences are consistent with the suggestion that this mammalian serum lectin is regulated as an acute-phase protein synthesized by the liver.     

cDNA cloning, genomic structure and chromosomal localization of the human BUP-1 gene encoding beta-ureidopropionase.

A full-length cDNA clone encoding human beta-ureidopropionase was isolated. A 1152-nucleotide open reading frame which corresponds to a protein of 384 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 43? omitted?158 Da, surrounded by a 5'-untranslated region of 61 nucleotides and a 3'-untranslated region of 277 nucleotides was identified. The protein showed 91% similarity with the translation product of the rat beta-ureidopropionase cDNA. Expression of the human cDNA in an Escherichia coli and eukaryotic COS-7 expression system revealed a very high beta-ureidopropionase enzymatic activity, thus confirming the identity of the cDNA. Since human EST libraries from brain, liver, kidney and heart contained partial beta-ureidopropionase cDNAs, the enzyme seems to be expressed in these tissues, in agreement with the expression profile of this enzyme in rat. Using the human cDNA as a probe a genomic P1 clone could be isolated containing the complete human beta-ureidopropionase gene. The gene consist of 11 exons spanning approximately 20 kB of genomic DNA. Fluorescence in situ hydridization localized the human beta-ureidopropionase gene to 22q11.2.     

Structure and chromosomal localization of the gene encoding barley seed peroxidase BP 2A.

A clone, lambda Prx6.1, coding for a barley seed peroxidase (BP; EC 1.11.1.7), was isolated from a genomic library using a cDNA coding for the barley seed peroxidase, BP 1, as a probe. The nucleotide sequence coded for a BP showing 73% amino acid (aa) sequence identity with BP 1 and less than 50% similarity with other sequenced plant peroxidases. The aa composition is 92% identical to that determined for BP 2 purified from mature barley grains, and therefore the gene product is named BP 2A. The alignment suggests that the coding region is interrupted by a 76-bp intron having the consensuses GT and AG, at the 5' and 3' ends, respectively. Alignment with BP 1 suggests that BP 2A has a leader peptide of 36 aa and the mature protein is 319 aa. Alanine and leucine account for 50% of the residues of the leader peptide. Of the codons used 90% have a C or G in the third position. The promoter shows a putative abscisic acid-response element, 5'-GTACGTGTC, 115 bp upstream from the start codon. The BP 2A-encoding gene was RFLP-mapped on barley chromosome 3, and we suggest for this peroxidase locus the name Prx6.     

Structure and chromosomal localization of the human thrombospondin gene

Thrombospondin (THBS1) is a large modular glycoprotein component of the extracellular matrix and contains a variety of distinct domains, including three repeating subunits (types I, II, and III) that share homology to an assortment of other proteins. Determination of THBS1 gene structure has revealed that the type I repeat modules are encoded by symmetrical exons and that the heparin-binding domain is encoded by a single exon. To further elucidate the higher level organization of THBS1, the gene was localized to the q11-qter region of chromosome 15.     

Structure, expression and chromosomal localization of human p80-coilin gene.

Coiled bodies (CBs) are non-capsular nuclear bodies with a diameter of 0.3-1 micron and appear to be composed of coiled fibrils. Human autoantibodies to CBs recognize an 80-kD nuclear protein highly enriched in CBs, and this protein has been named p80-coilin. CBs are known to assemble and disassemble during the cell cycle, with the highest number of CBs occurring at mid to late G1 where p80-coilin is assembled into several small nuclear body-like structures. In S and G2 phases, CBs become larger and their number decreases and often they are undetectable during mitosis. Using a human autoantibody as a probe for expression cloning, we initially isolated a partial cDNA encoding p80-coilin. In this report, the 5' end of the complete cDNA for p80-coilin was obtained using the 5'-RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) methodology. The size of the reconstructed full-length cDNA corresponds to the 2.7-kb mRNA detected in Northern blot analysis. The complete p80-coilin protein consists of 576 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 62,608. A putative p80-coilin pseudogene was also detected during the rescreening of p80-coilin cDNA. To confirm the validity of the cDNA sequence, three overlapping genomic DNA clones representing the human p80-coilin gene were selected for further analysis. The complete gene for p80-coilin contains 7 exons spanning approximately 25kb. Sequence analysis of exons 1 and 2 in genomic DNA clones confirmed the accuracy of the 5' cDNA sequence derived from the 5'-RACE procedure. Furthermore, the human p80-coilin gene was localized to chromosome 17q22-23 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.     

The Drosophila DSP1 gene encoding an HMG 1-like protein: genomic organization,evolutionary conservation and expression

The gene that encodes the dorsal switch protein (DSP1) has been isolated from a Drosophila melanogaster cosmid library. It is organized into seven exons and six introns. The relative position of the introns within the region coding for the high mobility group (HMG) domains are identical to those of vertebrate HMG 1/2 genes. The close similarity between DSP1 and HMG 1/2 genes strongly suggests that these genes derived from a common ancestral gene. DSP1 encodes, at least, two distinct mRNAs that differ in the length of their 5′-untranslated region and coding sequence. Detailed sequence analysis shows that alternative splicing of precursor mRNA gives rise to the two isoform mRNAs found in Drosophila cells.     

Sequence analysis, and chromosomal localization of a gene encoding a cystatin-like protein from Drosophila melanogaster.

Using polyclonal antibodies raised against a Drosophila Ca2(+)-binding protein (DCABP-23), clones were isolated from a Drosophila head cDNA library constructed in the expression vector lambda gt11. Two non-homologous clones have been isolated and are being subjected to sequence analysis. One of these clones, though not encoding DCABP-23, does encode a Drosophila cystatin-like protein. This presumed Drosophila cystatin shows homology to mammalian cystatins, chicken egg white cystatin and the rice oryzacystatin. The Drosophila cystatin has been mapped, by in situ hybridization, to region 88C on the right arm of the third chromosome.     

Placental expression and chromosomal localization of the human Gcm 1 gene.

Although gcm was first recognized for its role in specifying glial cell fate in Drosophila melanogaster, its mammalian counterparts are expressed predominantly in non-neural tissues. Here we demonstrate expression of the mouse and human GCM 1 proteins in placenta. We have prepared a highly specific antibody that recognizes the GCM 1 protein and have used it to assess the temporal and spatial expression profile of the protein. In both mouse and human placenta, the protein is associated with cells that are involved with exchange between maternal and fetal blood supplies: the labyrinthine cells of the mouse placenta and the syncytio- and cytotrophoblasts of the human placenta. Using the full-length hGcm 1 cDNA as a probe, we have mapped the gene on human chromosome 6p12 by fluorescent in situ hybridization.