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U Hellman

Publications and source records attributed to U Hellman.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The small subunits of human and mouse DNA polymerase epsilon are homologous to the second largest subunit of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA polymerase epsilon.

Human DNA polymerase epsilon is composed of a 261 kDa catalytic polypeptide and a 55 kDa small subunit of unknown function. cDNAs encoding the small subunit of human and mouse DNA polymerase epsilon were cloned. The predicted polypeptides have molecular masses of 59.469 and 59.319 kDa respectively and they are 90% identical. The human and mouse polypeptides show 22% identity with the 80 kDa subunit of the five subunit DNA polymerase epsilon from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The high degree of conservation suggests that the 55 kDa subunit shares an essential function with the yeast 80 kDa subunit, which was earlier suggested to be involved in S phase cell cycle control in a pathway that is able to sense and signal incomplete replication. The small subunits of human and mouse DNA polymerase epsilon also show homology to the C-terminal domain of the second largest subunit of DNA polymerase alpha. The gene for the small subunit of human DNA polymerase epsilon (POLE2) was localized to chromosome 14q21-q22 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A stress-inducible rat liver endoplasmic reticulum protein, ERp29.

We have isolated, cDNA cloned and characterised a 29-kDa protein (ERp29), containing a C-terminal endoplasmic reticulum(ER)-retrieval signal, from the rat liver ER. ERp29 was induced to high levels in the rat hepatoma cells under metabolic stress conditions known to cause an aberrant accumulation of proteins in the ER [(e.g. culture in presence of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, inhibitors of Ca2+-ATPase (thapsigargin), intracellular protein transport (brefeldin A), or protein N-glycosylation (tunicamycin)]. Experimental evidence of its localisation in the luminal compartment of the ER was obtained by topology studies including immunofluorescence microscopy, in vitro translation and proteinase protection assay. ERp29 constitutes about 0.1% of the rat hepatic microsomal proteins and is constitutively expressed in all rat tissues examined, as evident from northern blot analysis. In rat hepatoma cells ERp29 was found to be associated with the abundant molecular chaperone/stress protein BiP/GRP78 and this interaction was significantly enhanced after treatment with tunicamycin and A23187. Taken together, these results suggest that ERp29 is a member of the stress-response machinery of the ER.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An immunoaffinity-purified Trypanosoma cruzi antigen suppresses cellular proliferation through a TGF-beta-mediated mechanism.

Two subfractions with opposite immunological properties were obtained from the flagellar antigens (FF) of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes by immunoaffinity chromatography. The ligand-bound material (Ag 123) contained four polypeptide bands of 97, 55, 38 and 14 kDa. The nonretained flow-through (FT), induced a potent proliferation of murine naive splenocytes. In contrast, Ag 123 inhibited the proliferative capacity of the FT as well as the proliferation mediated by the mitogen Concanavalin A (Con A). The suppressive effect of Ag 123 on the Con A-mediated proliferation was neutralized by an anti-TGF-beta monoclonal antibody. Both Ag 123 and FF stimulated high serum levels of TGF-beta in injected mice. Ag 123 also induced in vitro secretion of TGF-beta by murine splenocytes. These results demonstrate that Ag 123 is a potent stimulator of TGF-beta both in vivo and in vitro. Oligopeptides derived from the 38 kDa protein present in Ag 123 showed homology with human and rat alpha-fetoproteins (AFP). Ag 123 seems to have a key role in the immunosuppression that develops during early stages in the infection with T. cruzi.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

B12-dependent ribonucleotide reductases from deeply rooted eubacteria are structurally related to the aerobic enzyme from Escherichia coli.

The ribonucleotide reductases from three ancient eubacteria, the hyperthermophilic Thermotoga maritima (TM), the radioresistant Deinococcus radiodurans (DR), and the thermophilic photosynthetic Chloroflexus aurantiacus, were found to be coenzyme-B12 (class II) enzymes, similar to the earlier described reductases from the archaebacteria Thermoplasma acidophila and Pyrococcus furiosus. Reduction of CDP by the purified TM and DR enzymes requires adenosylcobalamin and DTT. dATP is a positive allosteric effector, but stimulation of the TM enzyme only occurs close to the temperature optimum of 80-90 degrees C. The TM and DR genes were cloned by PCR from peptide sequence information. The TM gene was sequenced completely and expressed in Escherichia coli. The deduced amino acid sequences of the two eubacterial enzymes are homologous to those of the archaebacteria. They can also be aligned to the sequence of the large protein of the aerobic E. coli ribonucleotide reductase that belongs to a different class (class I), which is not dependent on B12. Structure determinations of the E. coli reductase complexed with substrate and allosteric effectors earlier demonstrated a 10-stranded beta/alpha-barrel in the active site. From the conservation of substrate- and effector-binding residues we propose that the B12-dependent class II enzymes contain a similar barrel.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation of carboxylester lipase (CEL) isoenzymes from Candida rugosa and identification of the corresponding genes.

The yeast Candida rugosa produces extracellular lipases which are widely used for industrial purposes. A commercial lipase preparation from this yeast can be separated into several isoenzymes which differ in carbohydrate content, isolelectric point, substrate specificity, and primary sequence. We have here purified and characterized three lipases, which also hydrolyze p-nitrophenyl esters, from a commercial preparation of this yeast. These three carboxylester lipases (CELs) elute differently on hydrophobic interaction chromatography, and have different carbohydrate contents and substrate specificities. Sequence analysis of their amino termini and peptides generated by LysC treatment showed that CEL-1 and CEL-3 probably have identical primary structure while CEL-2 was proven to be a different enzyme. Sequence comparison showed that both CEL-1 and CEL-3 are products of the LIP1 gene and that CEL-2 is the gene product of LIP2, cloned by Longhi et al. (Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1131, 227-232, 1992).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Destabilization of peptide binding and interdomain communication by an E543K mutation in the bovine 70-kDa heat shock cognate protein, a molecular chaperone.

We have compared 70-kDa heat shock cognate protein (Hsc70) isolated from bovine brain with recombinant wild type protein and mutant E543K protein (previously studied as wild type in our laboratory). Wild type bovine and recombinant protein differ by posttranslational modification of lysine 561 but interact similarly with a short peptide (fluorescein-labeled FYQLALT) and with denatured staphylococcal nuclease-(Delta135-149). Mutation E543K results in 4. 5-fold faster release of peptide and lower stability of complexes with staphylococcal nuclease-(Delta135-149). ATP hydrolysis rates of the wild type proteins are enhanced 6-10-fold by the addition of peptide. The E543K mutant has a peptide-stimulated hydrolytic rate similar to that of wild type protein but a higher unstimulated rate, yielding a mere 2-fold enhancement. All three versions of Hsc70 possess similar ATP-dependent conformational shifts, and all show potassium ion dependence. These data support the following model: (i) in the presence of K+, Mg2+, and ATP, the peptide binding domain inhibits the ATPase; (ii) binding of peptide relieves this inhibition; and (iii) the E543K mutation significantly attenuates the inhibition by the peptide binding domain and destabilizes Hsc70-peptide complexes.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

cDNA cloning, tissue distribution, and identification of the catalytic triad of monoglyceride lipase. Evolutionary relationship to esterases, lysophospholipases, and haloperoxidases.

Monoglyceride lipase catalyzes the last step in the hydrolysis of stored triglycerides in the adipocyte and presumably also complements the action of lipoprotein lipase in degrading triglycerides from chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins. Monoglyceride lipase was cloned from a mouse adipocyte cDNA library. The predicted amino acid sequence consisted of 302 amino acids, corresponding to a molecular weight of 33,218. The sequence showed no extensive homology to other known mammalian proteins, but a number of microbial proteins, including two bacterial lysophospholipases and a family of haloperoxidases, were found to be distantly related to this enzyme. By means of multiple sequence alignment and secondary structure prediction, the structural elements in monoglyceride lipase, as well as the putative catalytic triad, were identified. The residues of the proposed triad, Ser-122, in a GXSXG motif, Asp-239, and His-269, were confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis experiments. Northern blot analysis revealed that monoglyceride lipase is ubiquitously expressed among tissues, with a transcript size of about 4 kilobases.

Adipocytes↗

A novel GTPase-activating protein for Rho interacts with a PDZ domain of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase PTPL1.

PTPL1 is an intracellular protein-tyrosine phosphatase that contains five PDZ domains. Here, we present the cloning of a novel 150-kDa protein, the four most C-terminal amino acid residues of which specifically interact with the fourth PDZ domain of PTPL1. The molecule contains a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) domain, a cysteine-rich, putative Zn2+- and diacylglycerol-binding domain, and a region of sequence homology to the product of the Caenorhabditis elegans gene ZK669.1a. The GAP domain is active on Rho, Rac, and Cdc42 in vitro but with a clear preference for Rho; we refer to the molecule as PTPL1-associated RhoGAP 1, PARG1. Rho is inactivated by GAPs, and protein-tyrosine phosphorylation has been implicated in Rho signaling. Therefore, a complex between PTPL1 and PARG1 may function as a powerful negative regulator of Rho signaling, acting both on Rho itself and on tyrosine phosphorylated components in the Rho signal transduction pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and functional characterization of a subunit of the transporter associated with antigen processing.

The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) is essential for the transport of antigenic peptides across the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, TAP interacts with major histocompatibility complex class I heavy chain (HC)/beta2-microglobulin (beta2-m) dimers. We have cloned a cDNA encoding a TAP1/2-associated protein (TAP-A) corresponding in size and biochemical properties to tapasin, which was recently suggested to be involved in class I-TAP interaction (Sadasivan, B., Lehner, P. J., Ortmann, B., Spies, T. & Cresswell, P. (1996) Immunity 5, 103-114). The cDNA encodes a 448-residue-long ORF, including a signal peptide. The protein is predicted to be a type I membrane glycoprotein with a cytoplasmic tail containing a double-lysine motif (-KKKAE-COOH) known to maintain membrane proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. Immunoprecipitation with anti-TAP1 or anti-TAP-A antisera demonstrated a consistent and stoichiometric association of TAP-A with TAP1/2. Class I HC and beta2-m also were coprecipitated with these antisera, indicating the presence of a pentameric complex. In pulse-chase experiments, class I HC/beta2-m rapidly dissociated from TAP1/2-TAP-A. We propose that TAP is a trimeric complex consisting of TAP1, TAP2, and TAP-A that interacts transiently with class I HC/beta2-m. In peptide-binding assays using cross-linkable peptides and intact microsomes, TAP-A bound peptides only in the presence of ATP whereas binding of peptides to TAP1/2 was ATP-independent. This suggests a direct role of TAP-A in peptide loading onto class I HC/beta2-m dimer.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Molecular cloning and expression of cDNA encoding 3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-chole stanoyl-CoA oxidase from rabbit liver.

The steroid side chain cleavage in bile acid formation is catalyzed by liver peroxisomal enzymes (Pedersen, J. I. and Gustafsson, J. (1980) FEBS Lett. 121, 345-348; Kase, F., Björkhem, I., and Pedersen, J. I. (1983) J. Lipid Res. 24, 1560-1567). We here describe the cloning and sequencing of a cDNA coding the first of these enzymes, a 3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-choles tanoyl-CoA oxidase (THCA-CoA oxidase) from rabbit liver peroxisomes. After tryptic digestion of purified protein in a polyacrylamide gel, five peptides were isolated and sequenced. Using two oligonucleotides deduced from the amino acid sequence data, two overlappping clones were isolated from a rabbit liver cDNA library, which together made up a unique cDNA sequence of 2139 base pairs. It contained an open reading frame of 2046 base pairs encoding a protein of 681 amino acids with a molecular mass of 76,209 daltons. All five peptides could be localized within the sequence. Transfection of COS cells with the coding part of the cDNA resulted in a significant expression of THCA-CoA oxidase activity. We were not able to demonstrate 3alpha, 7alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholestanoyl-CoA oxidase activity under the same conditions. The obtained sequence showed 73.6% similarity with a proposed rat THCA-CoA oxidase and 81% similarity with a recently reported human branched chain acyl-CoA oxidase, indicating that these three proteins represent the same enzyme. The similarity with rat palmitoyl-CoA oxidase was 41.8%. The C-terminal tripeptide of the protein was SNL, a previously undescribed variant of the main class of peroxisomal targeting signals. Northern blot analysis revealed that the gene is transcribed in liver and kidney, and the major mRNA fraction had a size of approximately 2.6 kilobase pairs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Association of coatomer proteins with the beta-receptor for platelet-derived growth factor.

The nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Src binds to and is activated by the beta-receptor for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). The interaction leads to Src phosphorylation of Tyr934 in the kinase domain of the receptor. In the course of the functional characterization of this phosphorylation, we noticed that components of 136 and 97 kDa bound to a peptide from this region of the receptor in a phosphorylation-independent manner. These components have now been purified and identified as alpha- and beta'-coatomer proteins (COPs), respectively. COPs are a family of proteins involved in the regulation of intracellular vesicle transport. In order to explore the functional significance of the interaction between alpha- and beta'-COP and the PDGF receptor, a receptor mutant was made in which the conserved histidine residue 928 was mutated to an alanine residue. The mutant receptor, which was unable to bind alpha- or beta'-COP, showed a normal ligand-induced autophosphorylation. The mutant receptor also behaved like the wildtype receptor with regard to biosynthesis and maturation, and mediated a mitogenic signal. The possible functional importance of the interaction between the PDGF beta-receptor and alpha- and beta'-COP, is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Latent transforming growth factor-beta complex in Chinese hamster ovary cells contains the multifunctional cysteine-rich fibroblast growth factor receptor, also termed E-selectin-ligand or MG-160.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is secreted as latent high molecular mass complexes from producer cells. The N-terminal precursor remnant, also called latency-associated peptide (LAP), forms a non-covalently linked complex with TGF-beta and confers the latency to TGF-beta. In human platelets and certain other cell types, latent TGF-beta binding protein-1 (LTBP-1) is disulphide-linked to LAP, and forms complexes of more than 230 kDa. In addition, LTBP-2 and -3, which are structurally similar to LTBP-1, can be part of latent TGF-beta complexes. In Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with the TGF-beta1 cDNA, a major part of the latent TGF-beta secreted into the medium is a 100-kDa small latent complex containing TGF-beta and LAP. In addition, we found two other forms of latent TGF-beta complexes, i.e. a 220-kDa complex containing LTBP-1, and a 220-kDa complex containing a 140-kDa protein. Purification of the 140-kDa component, termed latent TGF-beta complexed protein-1 (LTCP-1), followed by amino acid sequencing and cDNA cloning from a CHO cell cDNA library, revealed that it is a hamster counterpart of a previously identified, multifunctional protein known as chicken cysteine-rich fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor, mouse E-selectin-ligand and rat MG-160 (a 160-kDa membrane sialoglycoprotein of the Golgi apparatus). Immunoprecipitation of LTCP-1 and TGF-beta1 from CHO cells stably transfected with TGF-beta1 precursor cDNA revealed that the expressed protein forms a complex with LAP, and that a major part of the complex is secreted. Northern blot analysis showed that mRNA for LTCP-1 was expressed in large amounts in testis, ovary and placenta, but less abundantly in other tissues. These results suggest that TGF-beta, produced in certain cell types, may form a complex with LTCP-1, which may have different properties compared with other latent TGF-beta complexes. It remains to be investigated whether the complex formation between LTCP-1 and TGF-beta1 also occurs in other cells, whether the association between them occurs in the Golgi complex, and whether it affects the interaction of LTCP-1 with FGF or E-selectin.

Adult↗

The complete cDNA sequence and expression of the first major allergenic protein of Malassezia furfur, Mal f 1.

For the first time the complete cDNA encoding a major allergen and novel protein of the yeast Malassezia furfur, Mal f 1, has been sequenced and expressed. The amino acid sequences of nine tryptic peptides of the protein were determined. Oligonucleotides were designed from these amino acid sequences. The cDNA sequence was obtained by hybridizing these primers to mRNA and enhancement by reverse-transcriptase PCR techniques. The cDNA is 1176 bp in length. It shows an open reading frame of 1050 bp coding for a protein of 38178 Da and a deduced amino acid sequence containing 350 residues. The hydropathy plot and the tryptic digest indicate that the first 22 amino acids represent a leader sequence determining a mature protein of 35 988 Da. The complete encoding cDNA was expressed as a maltose-binding protein fusion protein in Escherichia coli. The recombinant fusion protein reacted with our specific monoclonal antibody and with IgE from patients with atopic dermatitis.

Allergens↗

A heterocomplex formed by the calcium-binding proteins MRP8 (S100A8) and MRP14 (S100A9) binds unsaturated fatty acids with high affinity.

We show that unsaturated fatty acids (FAs) bind reversibly and with high affinity to a heterocomplex of 34 kDa (FA-p34) formed by the non-covalent association of two calcium-binding proteins of the S100 family: MRP8 (S100A8) and MRP14 (S100A9). Fatty acid-competition studies on the [3H]oleic acid.FA-p34-complex show that oleic, alpha-linoleic, gamma-linolenic, and arachidonic acids have IC50 values of about 1 microM, whereas palmitic and stearic acids are poor competitors. The binding of arachidonic acid is saturable with a single class of binding site per FA-p34, and a dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.13 microM is calculated. The individual subunits MRP8 and MRP14 show no binding properties for fatty acids, whereas a p34 complex reconstituted in vitro by the recombinant molecules exhibits binding properties, suggesting that the fatty acid-binding site of FA-p34 is created through heterocomplex formation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that lowering free Ca2+ levels to 16 nM results in a loss of the fatty acid-binding capacity of purified FA-p34. In calcium-induced differentiating keratinocytes, the amounts of FA-p34 are increased in the particulate (2.0 +/- 0.5 pmol of [3H]oleic acid/mg protein) and in the cytosolic (4.5 +/- 0.6 pmol of [3H]oleic acid/mg protein) fractions, whereas no FA-p34 can be detected in non-differentiated cultured keratinocytes. In abnormally differentiated keratinocytes (psoriasis) and in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, FA-p34 is highly expressed (31.35 +/- 1.6 and 349.8 +/- 17.9 pmol of [3H]oleic acid/mg protein, respectively), pointing toward a role for this heteromer in mediating effects of unsaturated fatty acids in a calcium-dependent way during cell differentiation and/or inflammation.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

Characterization of endogenous neuropeptide Y in rat hippocampus and its metabolism by nanospray mass spectrometry.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a 36-residue-long neuropeptide which has been implicated in the regulation of feeding behavior and modulation of the circadian rhythm. We identified the primary structure of the endogenous NPY-immunoreactive material in the rat hippocampus using a combination of chromatographic techniques and nanospray mass spectrometry. The major component in the brain tissue corresponded to the authentic amidated form of NPY(1-36). The fate of NPY in the central nervous system was studied by subjecting pure peptide to the protease(s) present in hippocampal synaptosomes to reveal potential cleavage site(s). NPY was efficiently metabolized with a single cleavage between Leu30-Ile31. Thus, processing of NPY resulted in formation of the C-terminally truncated fragment NPY(1-30) and its counterpart NPY(31-36). The enzyme revealed properties of aspartic protease, being blocked by pepstatin and having a pH optimum between 4 and 5. The data clarify the structure of NPY and its inactivation pathway in the brain, which is different from that found in the periphery, and may have important consequences in vivo.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of hepsin from rat liver microsomes.

Hepsin, a putative cell-surface serine proteinase, has been isolated from the microsomal membranes of rat liver and purified to homogeneity by hydroxyapatite, DEAE-Sepharose, and benzamidine-Sepharose chromatography. The course of purification was monitored using antibodies raised against a 20-mer peptide at the C-terminus of rat hepsin, and the identity of the purified protein was confirmed by partial amino-acid sequencing. A single-chain precursor of ca. 50 kDa found in the microsomes underwent spontaneous maturation in the course of purification so that the last, affinity chromatography, step recovered only the mature form which dissociated to subunits of 31 and 19 kDa under reducing SDS-PAGE. Proteinase digestion experiments with microsomal vesicles are consistent with the luminal orientation of the precursor C-terminus, which would result in its extracellular orientation upon transportation to the cell surface. [3H]diisopropylfluorophosphate covalently binds to the large subunit showing it to be the catalytic one. The N-terminal sequencing of this subunit demonstrates that the zymogen is converted to the active serine proteinase by cleavage at the Arg161-Ile162 site. Activity measurements with short synthetic peptides show that the enzyme cleaves after basic amino-acid residues, Arg being preferable to Lys. The inhibition pattern is typical of trypsin-like serine proteinases. The pH-dependence of activity within the range pH 6-9 has no maximum, the activity increasing continuously with pH. These results are consistent with the earlier predictions based on hepsin amino-acid sequence and elucidate the specificity and other earlier unknown enzymatic and molecular properties of the enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Peroxisomal multifunctional enzyme of beta-oxidation metabolizing D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA esters in rat liver: molecular cloning, expression and characterization.

In the present study we have cloned and characterized a novel rat peroxisomal multifunctional enzyme (MFE) named perMFE-II. The purified 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase 2 with an M(r) of 31500 from rat liver [Malila, Siivari, Mäkelä, Jalonen, Latipää, Kunau and Hiltunen (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 21578-21585] was subjected to tryptic fragmentation and the resulting peptides were isolated and sequenced. Surprisingly, the full-length cDNA, amplified by PCR, had an open reading frame of 2205 bp encoding a polypeptide with a predicted M(r) of 79,331 and contained a potential peroxisomal targeting signal in the C-terminus (Ala-Lys-Leu). The sequenced peptide fragments of hydratase 2 gave a full match in the middle portion of the cDNA-derived amino acid sequence. The predicted amino acid sequence showed a high degree of similarity with pig 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type IV and MFE of yeast peroxisomal beta-oxidation. Recombinant perMFE-II (produced in Pichia pastoris) had 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase 2 and D-specific 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activities and was catalytically active with several straight-chain trans-2-enoyl-CoA, 2-methyltetradecenoyl-CoA and pristenoyl-CoA esters. The results showed that in addition to an earlier described multifunctional isomerase-hydratase-dehydrogenase enzyme from rat liver peroxisomes (perMFE-I), another MFE exists in rat liver peroxisomes. They both catalyse sequential hydratase and dehydrogenase reactions of beta-oxidation but through reciprocal stereochemical courses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

cAMP-dependent phosphorylation activates phosphofructokinase from mantle tissue of the mollusc Mytilus galloprovincialis. Identification of the phosphorylated site.

Phosphofructokinase from mantle tissue of the sea mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis was phosphorylated in vitro by a protein kinase isolated from the same tissue, homologous to mammalian cAMP-dependent protein kinase; the maximal level of phosphorylation achieved was around 1 mol of Pi/mol of phosphofructokinase subunit. The covalent incorporation of phosphate leads to a notable increase in the enzyme activity assayed at near-physiological concentrations of substrates and allosteric modulators and neutral pH. Tryptic digestion of labeled phosphofructokinase released a phosphopeptide whose sequence was Lys-Asp-Ser(P)-Ile-Trp-Ile-Gln-Thr-Gly-Arg. This sequence showed high homology with the phosphopeptides from other invertebrates whose phosphofructokinase is also activated by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗