Developmental expression of a novel Kexin family protease, PACE4E, in the rat olfactory system |
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Authors: | Tetsuya Akamatsu Shigeo Daikoku Hideaki Nagamune Shigeru Yoshida Kenji Mori Akihiko Tsuji Y Matsuda |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Tokushima, 2-chome, Minami-josanjima cho, Tokushima 770, Japan Tel. +81–886–56–7523; fax +81–886–55–3161 e-mail: matsuda @bio.tokushima-u.ac.jp, JP;(2) Tokushima Research Institute, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Tokushima, 770, Japan, JP |
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Abstract: | PACE4 is a mammalian Kexin family protease that is involved in the maturation of precursor proteins. Four PACE4 isoforms
have been identified. We identified a novel PACE4 isoform, PACE4E, from a human cerebellum cDNA library, which possesses a
hydrophobic cluster in its C-terminus participating in membrane association. The size of PACE4E mRNA from adult rat brain
was estimated by Northern blotting to be 4.4 kb. In situ hybridization histochemistry revealed that the highest level of PACE4E
mRNA was expressed in the mitral cells of the adult rat olfactory bulb (OB). The OB is a unique sensory organ in that it has
a lifelong regenerating capacity and it affects brain development. We further analyzed the expression of PACE4E mRNA in the
developing olfactory system. On day 13.5 of gestation, PACE4E mRNA was expressed at high levels in the neuroepithelium of
the forebrain vesicle (FV), olfactory epithelium, and cells in the fiber bundles projecting to the FV. As development proceeded,
PACE4E mRNA was expressed in developing mitral cells but decreased in the olfactory epithelium. In the newborn, its expression
was confined to the mitral cells in both the main and accessory OB and in some periglomerular cells, as shown in adult rats.
The spatio-temporal expression of PACE4E suggests that it plays a role in the establishment and maintenance of the olfactory
receptor system.
Accepted: 15 April 1997 |
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