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The peroxidoxin 2 protein of the human parasite Onchocerca volvulus: recombinant expression, immunolocalization, and demonstration of homologous molecules in other species.

The peroxidoxin protein of the filarial parasite Onchocerca volvulus (OvPXN-2) belongs to a group of highly conserved antioxidant molecules. For a more detailed characterization of this protein and for determination of its expression pattern the OvPXN-2 protein was recombinantly expressed as a His-tagged protein. Under reducing conditions the recombinant protein had an apparent molecular mass of 28 kDa. Considering the size of the His-tag and the FLAG epitope introduced to the recombinant protein, this size is in agreement with that of the native protein identified in O. volvulus extract. Antiserum raised against the recombinant protein was used for immunolocalization. In O. volvulus the antigen is predominantly expressed in the hypodermis and particularly the lateral and median chords show high levels of expression. The protein is also expressed strongly in the hypodermis of infective larvae and more weakly in microfilariae. Related cross-reacting proteins were detected in several Onchocerca species and other filariae. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in combination with Western blotting revealed proteins with almost identical mobility in extracts prepared from O. ochengi, O. gibsoni, and Dirofilaria immitis.

Animals↗

Zolmitriptan stimulates a Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) current in C6 glioma cells stably expressing recombinant human 5-HT(1B) receptors.

Stimulation of a Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) current by zolmitriptan, a 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor partial agonist, was investigated in C6 glioma cells stably expressing recombinant human 5-HT(1B) receptors. Outward K(+) currents (I(K)) were examined in non-transfected C6 glioma cells and in cells expressing cloned human 5-HT(1B) receptors using the patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration. In C6 glioma cells expressing recombinant human 5-HT(1B) receptor, zolmitriptan increased I(K) in a concentration-dependent manner (maximum increase 16.3+/-7.8%, n=5, p<0.001) with a pD(2) value (geometric mean with 95% confidence intervals) of 7.03 (7.90-6.10). Zolmitriptan failed to elicit increases in I(K) in non-transfected C6 cells. In the presence of the mixed 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor antagonist, N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)phenyl]-2(-methyl-4(5-methyl-1 ,2,4)-oxadiazol-3-yl)[1,1-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide 2HCl (GR 127935, 0. 1 mcM), zolmitriptan (1 mcM) failed to significantly increase I(K) in C6 cells expressing human 5-HT(1B) receptors confirming that zolmitriptan-evoked responses were indeed mediated by human 5-HT(1B) receptors. In C6 cells expressing cloned human 5-HT(1B) receptors, zolmitriptan-induced increases in I(K) were prevented by the calcium chelator, EGTA (5 mM) when included in the patch pipette (maximum increase -3.3+/-4.2%, n=4, P=NS). The Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) channel blockers, iberiotoxin (0.1 mcM) and tetraethylammonium (TEA, 1 mM), abolished zolmitriptan-induced increases in I(K) (4.5+/-7.3%, n=4 and -0.8+/-1.7%, n=4, respectively, P=NS in each case) in C6 cells expressing human 5-HT(1B) receptors, confirming the involvement of Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) channels. In conclusion, the 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor partial agonist, zolmitriptan, stimulates I(K/Ca) in C6 glioma cells stably transfected with human 5-HT(1B) receptors suggesting an increase of hyperpolarizing current.

Animals↗

The ornithine decarboxylase domain of the bifunctional ornithine decarboxylase/S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase of Plasmodium falciparum: recombinant expression and catalytic properties of two different constructs.

The polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine play an essential role in cell differentiation and proliferation. Inhibition of the rate-limiting enzymes of polyamine biosynthesis, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC), has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy against cancer and parasitic infections. In the case of Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria tropica, this approach is especially interesting, because here both key enzymes, ODC and AdoMetDC, are combined in a bifunctional protein, ODC/AdoMetDC. This arrangement has not been found in any other organism investigated so far. We report the cloning and recombinant expression of the ODC domain of P. falciparum in Escherichia coli. First, we expressed the mere recombinant ODC domain (rPfODC). Secondly, we expressed the recombinant ODC domain in conjunction with the preceding part of the hinge region of the bifunctional ODC/AdoMetDC (rPfHinge-ODC). K(m) values for L-ornithine were 47.3 microM for the rPfHinge-ODC and 161. 5 microM for the rPfODC. Both recombinant enzymes were inhibited by putrescine, but the K(i) value for the rPfHinge-ODC was 50.4 microM (IC(50)=157 microM), whereas the IC(50) for the rPfODC was 500 microM. Spermidine was a weak inhibitor in both cases. alpha-Difluoromethylornithine inhibited the rPfHinge-ODC with a K(i) value of 87.6 microM. For two novel ODC inhibitors, CGP52622A and CGP54619A, the K(i) values of the rPfHinge-ODC were in the nanomolar range.

Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase↗

Differential effects on HIV-1 gene regulation by EBV in T lymphocytic and promonocytic cells transduced to express recombinant human CR2.

A panel of human hematopoietic cell lines was genetically engineered to express recombinant complement receptor 2 (CR2 or CD21), which is also the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) receptor. The panel was composed of SupT1, J1.1, and U1.HIV cells. The latter is a promonocytic cell line, whereas the other two are T lymphocytic cell lines. J1.1 and U1.HIV cells are latently infected by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). These three cell lines were transduced with a murine leukemia virus (MLV)-based retroviral vector system. CR2 was efficiently and consistently expressed on the cell membranes, conferring enhanced susceptibility to EBV infection. The efficient expression of recombinant CR2 in cell lines of hematopoietic origin allowed for study of the interaction between EBV infection and HIV-1 gene regulation in suitable cell-culture models. The effects of EBV and HIV-1 coinfection results were cell-type dependent. In the two T lymphocytic cell lines, HIV-1 expression was rapidly and persistently down-regulated by EBV. Conversely, in the promonocytic cell line U1.HIV-CR2, HIV-1 expression was transiently enhanced by EBV. The EBV and HIV-1 coinfection result in U1.HIV-CR2 cells is potentially important, as the activation of HIV-1 gene expression in monocyte-like cells may play a crucial role in the mechanism of CD4+ T cell depletion by apoptosis. Therefore, the U1.HIV-CR2 cell line may represent a useful cell-culture system to study the synergism between EBV and HIV-1 in inducing apoptosis in primary CD4+ T cells.

Cell Line↗

cDNA cloning, sequence analysis, and recombinant expression of akitonin beta, a C-type lectin-like protein from Agkistrodon acutus.

AIM: To clone the cDNA of a new member of snake venom C-type lectin-like proteins, to study its structure-function relationships and to achieve its recombinant production. METHODS: PCR primers were designed based on the homology and cDNA was amplified by RT-PCR using total RNA from snake venom gland as the template. The PCR products were cloned into the plasmid pGEM-T and sequenced. The deduced protein sequence was analyzed with some bioinformatic programs. A recombinant expression plasmid was constructed using pBAD-TOPO as vector and transformed into E.coli TOP10 competent cells. RESULTS: A novel cDNA sequence encoding akitonin beta was found and accepted by GenBank (accession number AF387100). Akitonin beta consists of a typical carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) of C-type lectins, and it is homologous with other snake venom C-type lectin-like proteins. It was predicted to be a platelet antagonist. Upon induction with arabinose rAkitonin beta expressing in E coli was achieved at a high level (superior to 150 mg/L). The recombinant fusion protein exhibited inhibitory activities on rat platelet aggregation in vitro. CONCLUSION: A new member of snake venom C-type lectin-like proteins was discovered and characterized, and an efficient recombinant expression system was established for its production.

Agkistrodon↗

Efficient gene activation in cultured mammalian cells mediated by FLP recombinase-expressing recombinant adenovirus.

A recombinant adenovirus (rAd) expressing Cre recombinase derived from bacteriophage P1 has already been extensively used for the conditional gene activation and inactivation strategies in mammalian systems. In this study, we generated AxCAFLP, a rAd expressing FLP recombinase derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and carried out quantitative comparisons with Cre-expressing rAd in both in vitro and in cultured cells to provide another efficient gene regulation system in mammalian cells. In the in vitro experiments, the relative recombination efficiency of FLP expressed in 293 cells infected with FLP-expressing rAd was approximately one-thirtieth that of Cre even at 30 degrees C, the optimum temperature for FLP activity, and was approximately one-ninetieth at 37 degrees C. Co-infection experiments in HeLa cells using a target rAd conditionally expressing LacZ under the control of FLP showed that an FLP-expressing rAd, infected at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 5, was able to activate the transgene in almost 100% of HeLa cells whereas the Cre-expressing rAd was sufficient at an MOI of 0.2. Since an MOI of 5 is ordinarily used in rAd experiments, these results showed that the FLP-expressing rAd is useful for gene activation strategies and is probably applicable to a sequential gene regulation system in combination with Cre-expressing rAd in mammalian cells.

Adenoviridae↗

Identification and recombinant expression of a novel chymotrypsin from Spodoptera exigua.

A novel chymotrypsin which is expressed in the midgut of the lepidopteran insect Spodoptera exigua is described. This enzyme, referred to as SeCT34, represents a novel class of chymotrypsins. Its amino-acid sequence shares common features of gut chymotrpysins, but can be clearly distinguished from other serine proteinases that are expressed in the insect gut. Most notable, SeCT34 contains a chymotrypsin activation site and the highly conserved motive DSGGP in the catalytic domain around the active-site serine is changed to DSGSA. Recombinant expression of SeCT34 was achieved in Sf21 insect cells using a special baculovirus vector, which has been engineered for optimized protein production. This is the first example of recombinant expression of an active serine proteinase which functions in the lepidopteran digestive tract. Purified recombinant SeCT34 enzyme was characterized by its ability to hydrolyze various synthetic substrates and its susceptibility to proteinase inhibitors. It appeared to be highly selective for substrates carrying a phenylalanine residue at the cleavage site. SeCT34 showed a pH-dependence and sensitivity to inhibitors, which is characteristic for semi-purified lepidopteran gut proteinases. Expression analysis revealed that SeCT34 was only expressed in the midgut of larvae at the end of their last instar, just before the onset of pupation. This suggests a possible role of this protein in the proteolytic remodelling that occurs in the gut during the larval to pupal molt.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Recombinant expression of biologically active rat leptin in Escherichia coli.

Leptin is a 16-kDa nonglycosylated hormone that is produced in mature adipocytes and which acts primarily in the hypothalamus to reduce food intake and body weight. While the rat is a representative laboratory animal model in obesity research, so far recombinant rat leptin was not available. In the present study, rat leptin was recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli and purified in a bioactive form to provide a further tool for the analysis of leptin functions in rats. Leptin cDNA was cloned by RT-PCR from total RNA of SD rat adipocytes, and overexpression was achieved by subcloning the leptin cDNA into the pET-29a vector, which enabled the recombinant expression of rat leptin as an S-peptide-tagged fusion protein. Since the fusion proteins were expressed in inclusion bodies, after purification of the insoluble fraction, leptin proteins were refolded by sequential dialysis into physiological buffers. The biological activity of this recombinant protein was confirmed in proliferation assays using leptin-sensitive rat insulinoma cells as well as a newly developed leptin-sensitive luciferase assay system. The specific binding of the S-tagged leptin to leptin-receptor-expressing cells was further shown by flow cytometry using fluorescence-conjugated S-proteins.

Adipocytes↗

Mice immune responses to Brucella abortus heat shock proteins. Use of baculovirus recombinant-expressing whole insect cells, purified Brucella abortus recombinant proteins, and a vaccinia virus recombinant as immunogens.

Brucella abortus resists the microbicidal mechanisms of macrophages, and the expression of its heat shock proteins (HSPs) such as GroEL, GroES and HtrA may play a role in this resistance. Bacterial HSPs can be very immunogenic, inducing protective immunity in various types of bacterial infections. However, the significance of immune responses directed against B. abortus HSPs in the protection against brucellosis is currently unresolved. To elucidate the role of these proteins in protection against Brucella challenge, individual, divalent or trivalent baculovirus (BV) recombinants of B. abortus GroEL, GroES and/or HtrA were injected into BALB/c mice either as protein-expressing whole cells or as purified proteins. The preparations were given to mice in combination with Freund's or Ribi adjuvant, respectively. In addition, some mice were primed with a vaccinia virus-GroEL recombinant, followed by inoculation with purified GroEL-Ribi adjuvant combination. Antibodies were observed against B. abortus GroEL and HtrA, but not against GroES. Cellular immune response was demonstrated by observing significant IFN-gamma release by lymphocytes of mice immunized with the purified HtrA-Ribi adjuvant combination. However, none of the mice inoculated with individual, divalent or trivalent HSP-expressing cells combined with complete Freund's adjuvant or inoculated with purified B. abortus HSPs combined with Ribi adjuvant, were protected against challenge with B. abortus virulent strain 2308. Priming with vaccinia virus-GroEL recombinant and boosting with GroEL-Ribi combination did not induce protective immunity. Based on the results obtained, we suggest that although humoral and cell-mediated immune responses are induced, but protective immune response is not induced by B. abortus HSPs.

Animals↗

[PCR-based site-directed mutagenesis and recombinant expression plasmid construction of a SCN5A mutation (K317N) identified in a Chinese family with Brugada syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To perform PCR-based site-directed mutagenesis of a new SCN5A mutation (K317N) identified in a Chinese family with Brugada syndrome and construct the recombinant expression plasmid pRc/CMV-Hh1 containing the human cardiac sodium channel alpha subunit (hH1), mutant cDNA. METHODS: A pair of primers was designed according to the restricted sites Sse 8387I and Age I of the SCN5A sequence with the mismatches introduced into primers. Mutagenesis was performed in a single-step PCR, and the fragments amplified by PCR containing the mutation site were subcloned into the pRc/CMV-hH1 vector. RESULTS: Sequence analysis confirmed the presence of the desired mutation site, and a mutation from K (Lys) to N (Asn) in codon 317 was identified in the SCN5A gene, indicating the successful induction of the mutation at K317N of the SCN5A gene. CONCLUSION: PCR site-directed mutagenesis is accurate and highly efficient, and the successfully constructed recombinant expression plasmid pRc/CMV-hH1 (K317N) may provide a molecular basis for further functional and genomic investigation of SCN5A.

Humans↗

Liver mitochondrial cytochrome P450 CYP27 and recombinant-expressed human CYP27 catalyze 1 alpha-hydroxylation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3.

A cytochrome P450 catalyzing 1 alpha-hydroxylation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was purified from pig liver mitochondria. It also catalyzed 27-hydroxylation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D3. The ratio between the 1 alpha-, 27-, and 25-hydroxylase activities remained essentially constant during the purification. Substrates for sterol 27-hydroxylase CYP27 inhibited and a monoclonal antibody raised against CYP27 immunoprecipitated the 1 alpha-, 27-, and 25-hydroxylase activities. Apparently homogeneous preparations of CYP27 from pig and rabbit liver mitochondria catalyzed 1 alpha-hydroxylation. Human liver mitochondrial CYP27 was expressed from its cDNA in Escherichia coli. The nucleotide sequence encoding the N terminus of CYP27 was modified in the first eight codons to achieve expression in E. coli. The purified recombinant-expressed CYP27 reconstituted with the electron-transferring system of adrenal mitochondria catalyzed 1 alpha-hydroxylation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Expression of unmodified CYP27 cDNA in simian COS cells confirmed the 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity toward 25-hydroxyvitamin D3.

Animals↗

Recombinant-expressed virus-like particle pseudotypes as an approach to vaccine development.

Coinfection of a cell with two different types of enveloped virus can result in the generation of infectious virus particle pseudotypes having the internal proteins of one virus and the envelope proteins of the other virus. Vaccinia virus recombinants expressing either non-infectious virus-like particles of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) or the gD2 glycoprotein of herpes simplex virus were used to coinfect cells to determine if virus-like particle pseudotypes would be formed. Sucrose gradient sedimentation analysis and immunoprecipitation with a monoclonal antibody provided independent evidence of virus-like particle pseudotype formation. Preparations of such particles were immunogenic in mice. Recombinant-expressed virus-like particles thus represent a novel vaccine approach to presenting envelope glycoprotein antigens in a non-infectious state that mimics natural infection.

Animals↗

The heparin/heparan sulfate 2-O-sulfatase from Flavobacterium heparinum. Molecular cloning, recombinant expression, and biochemical characterization.

Heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans are structurally complex polysaccharides critically engaged in a wide range of cell and tissue functions. Any structure-based approach to study their respective biological functions is facilitated by the use of select heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan-degrading enzymes with unique substrate specificities. We recently reported of one such enzyme, the Delta4,5-glycuronidase cloned from Flavobacterium heparinum and recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli (Myette, J. R., Shriver, Z., Kiziltepe, T., McLean, M. W., Venkataraman, G., and Sasisekharan, R. (2002) Biochemistry 41, 7424-7434). In this study, we likewise report the molecular cloning of the 2-O-sulfatase from the same bacterium and its recombinant expression as a soluble, highly active enzyme. At the protein level, the flavobacterial 2-O-sulfatase possesses considerable sequence homology to other members of a large sulfatase family, especially within its amino terminus, where the highly conserved sulfatase domain is located. Within this domain, we have identified by sequence homology the critical active site cysteine predicted to be chemically modified as a formylglycine in vivo. We also present a characterization of the biochemical properties of the enzyme as it relates to optimal in vitro reaction conditions and a kinetic description of its substrate specificity. In particular, we demonstrate that in addition to the fact that the enzyme exclusively hydrolyzes the sulfate at the 2-O-position of the uronic acid, it also exhibits a kinetic preference for highly sulfated glucosamines within each disaccharide unit, especially those possessing a 6-O-sulfate. The sulfatase also displays a clear kinetic preference for disaccharides with beta1-->4 linkages but is able, nevertheless, to hydrolyze unsaturated, 2-O-sulfated chondroitin disaccharides. Finally, we describe the substrate-product relationship of the 2-O-sulfatase to the Delta4,5-glycuronidase and the analytical value of using both of these enzymes in tandem for elucidating heparin/heparan sulfate composition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Chronic exposure of cells expressing recombinant GABAA receptors to benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil enhances the maximum number of benzodiazepine binding sites.

The aim of this study was to better understand the mechanisms that underlie adaptive changes in GABAA receptors following their prolonged exposure to drugs. Exposure (48 h) of human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells stably expressing recombinant alpha1beta2gamma2S GABAA receptors to flumazenil (1 or 5 microM) in the presence of GABA (1 microM) enhanced the maximum number (Bmax) of [3H]flunitrazepam binding sites without affecting their affinity (Kd). The flumazenil-induced enhancement in Bmax was not counteracted by diazepam (1 microM). GABA (1 nM-1 mM) enhanced [3H]flunitrazepam binding to membranes obtained from control and flumazenil-pretreated cells in a concentration-dependent manner. No significant differences were observed in either the potency (EC50) or efficacy (Emax) of GABA to potentiate [3H]flunitrazepam binding. However, in flumazenil pretreated cells the basal [3H]flunitrazepam and [3H]TBOB binding were markedly enhanced. GABA produced almost complete inhibition of [3H]TBOB binding to membranes obtained from control and flumazenil treated cells. The potencies of GABA to inhibit this binding, as shown by a lack of significant changes in the IC50 values, were not different between vehicle and drug treated cells. The results suggest that chronic exposure of HEK 293 cells stably expressing recombinant alpha1beta2gamma2S GABAA receptors to flumazenil (in the presence of GABA) up-regulates benzodiazepine and convulsant binding sites, but it does not affect the allosteric interactions between these sites and the GABA binding site. Further studies are needed to elucidate these phenomena.

Binding Sites↗

Understanding recombinant expression of membrane proteins.

Over the past 15 years, numerous reports have been published on the recombinant expression of integral membrane proteins. Some proteins accumulate in the membrane to high levels, whereas other often closely related proteins are barely detected. Understanding the underlying reasons for this variation has proven difficult. Recent studies in this area have provided new insight into the response of host cells to membrane protein expression and into the mechanism of membrane insertion. The successful overproduction of some membrane proteins was shown to be linked to the avoidance of stress responses in the host cell. Furthermore, the cell response to membrane protein production has been quantified and several genes that are either upregulated or downregulated when yields of a membrane-inserted protein are poor were identified. Progress has also been made in understanding how the translocon, which is the site of protein translocation and membrane insertion, decides whether a protein segment is integrated into the membrane or not. Building upon such experiments will lead to targeted approaches for recombinant membrane protein expression.

Biotechnology↗

Recombinant expression and in vitro refolding of the yeast small heat shock protein Hsp42.

Small Hsps represent a variation on the theme of protection of proteins from irreversible aggregation by reversible interaction with chaperone proteins. While different sHsps are highly heterogeneous in sequence and size, the common trait is the presence of a conserved alpha-crystallin domain. In addition sHsps assemble into large oligomeric complexes where dimers represent the basic building blocks. Hsp42, a member of the sHsp family in the cytosol of S. cerevisiae, forms ordered oligomers with a barrel-like structure. Here, we present the recombinant expression and purification of Hsp42. We demonstrate, that Hsp42 is expressed in inclusion bodies and can be resolubilized and folded to correct, active oligomers. This indicates that in contrast to thermal unfolding, the chemical disassembly and unfolding of Hsp42 is fully reversible. In comparison to the purification of mature Hsp42 from yeast, its recombinant expression leads to a substantial increase in the yield of the protein and to a reduction of contamination caused by aggregation prone proteins complexed by Hsp42. In addition, the recombinant Hsp42 is fully active as a chaperone in an energy independent manner.

Animals↗

Recombinant expression, purification, and characterization of three isoenzymes of aspartate aminotransferase from Arabidopsis thaliana.

Five different genes encoding isoenzymes of aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) have been identified in the plant Arabidopsis thaliana. cDNA sequences encoding three of these AAT isoenzymes, asp1 (mitochondrial), asp2 (cytosolic), and asp5 (plastid), were manipulated into bacterial expression vectors and the recombinant proteins expressed were purified from liquid culture using conventional methods. Yields of the purified isoenzymes varied from 11.5 mg/g wet wt cells (AAT5) to 0.95 mg/g wet wt cells (AAT2), an improvement of more than 1000-fold over typical yields of native isoenzymes obtained from plant tissues of other species. Analysis of the recombinant proteins on denaturing PAGE gels indicated subunit Mrs of between 44 and 45 K. Kinetic parameters (Km and kcat) obtained for all four substrates (aspartate, alpha-ketoglutarate, glutamate, and oxaloacetate) were consistent with values obtained for native AAT isoenzymes from other plant species. Further characterization of the purified recombinant enzymes alongside native enzymes from A. thaliana leaf tissue on AAT activity gels confirmed the identity of asp1 and asp2 as the mitochondrial and cytosolic AAT genes but indicated that asp5 may encode an amyloplastic rather than the chloroplastic enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular cloning of the peroxisome proliferator-induced 46-kDa cytosolic acyl-CoA thioesterase from mouse and rat liver--recombinant expression in Escherichia coli, tissue expression, and nutritional regulation.

Feeding clofibrate to rats and mice results in a strong induction of acyl-CoA thioesterase activity in the liver that is mainly due to increases in the enzyme activities in mitochondria and cytosol. The cytosolic acyl-CoA thioesterase protein of about 40 kDa, referred to as CTE-I, is strongly induced by the treatment. We report here the molecular cloning of the cDNA corresponding to the rat and mouse enzymes, and the further characterization of the mouse CTE-I by recombinant expression in bacteria and regulation of expression of the enzyme. The cDNAs corresponding to the rat and mouse enzymes contained open reading frames encoding proteins of 419 amino acids with calculated molecular masses of 45938 Da and 46135 Da, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed an active site serine consensus sequence commonly found in lipases and carboxylesterases. Recombinant expression of the mouse CTE-I cDNA in Escherichia coli resulted in production of immunoreactive protein that was mainly active with long-chain acyl-CoAs. Northern blot analysis showed that the full-length CTE-I cDNA probe hybridized to two major transcripts corresponding to CTE-I and MTE-I (mitochondrial acyl-CoA thioesterase I), respectively. The expression of both mRNA species was found to be highly regulated. As expected, both CTE-I and MTE-I were strongly upregulated (> 50-fold) by clofibrate treatment. Interestingly, fasting for 48 h resulted in a similar magnitude of induction as two days of clofibrate feeding. In addition, feeding a fat-free diet resulted in down-regulation of CTE-I mRNA. CTE-I mRNA was strongly expressed in kidney and brown adipose tissue and MTE-I mRNA was expressed mainly in brown adipose tissue and heart but was also expressed in kidney and white adipose tissue. Dietary regulation and tissue-specific expression suggest that CTE-I and MTE-I play important roles in lipid metabolism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗