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Identification and characterization of the reptilian GnRH-II gene in the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius, and its evolutionary considerations.

To elucidate the molecular phylogeny and evolution of a particular peptide, one must analyze not the limited primary amino acid sequences of the low molecular weight mature polypeptide, but rather the sequences of the corresponding precursors from various species. Of all the structural variants of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), GnRH-II (chicken GnRH-II, or cGnRH-II) is remarkably conserved without any sequence substitutions among vertebrates, but its precursor sequences vary considerably. We have identified and characterized the full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding the GnRH-II precursor and determined its genomic structure, consisting of four exons and three introns, in a reptilian species, the leopard gecko Eublepharis macularius. This is the first report about the GnRH-II precursor cDNA/gene from reptiles. The deduced leopard gecko prepro-GnRH-II polypeptide had the highest identities with the corresponding polypeptides of amphibians. The GnRH-II precursor mRNA was detected in more than half of the tissues and organs examined. This widespread expression is consistent with the previous findings in several species, though the roles of GnRH outside the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis remain largely unknown. Molecular phylogenetic analysis combined with sequence comparison showed that the leopard gecko is more similar to fishes and amphibians than to eutherian mammals with respect to the GnRH-II precursor sequence. These results strongly suggest that the divergence of the GnRH-II precursor sequences seen in eutherian mammals may have occurred along with amniote evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of a basic glycoprotein induced by ethylene in primary leaves of azuki bean as a cationic peroxidase.

Ethylene causes the accumulation of seven different proteins (each designated AZxx according to its molecular mass, xx in kD) in excised primary leaves of azuki bean (Vigna angularis) (F. Ishige, H. Mori, K. Yamazaki, H. Imaseki [1991] Plant Cell Physiol 32: 681-690). A complementary DNA encoding an ethylene-induced basic glycoprotein, AZ42, from azuki bean was cloned and its complete nucleotide sequence was determined. Characterization of the cDNA was accomplished by monitoring expression of an immunoreactive protein in Escherichia coli that harbored the cDNA and by the identification of a partial amino acid sequence that was the same as that determined from the purified protein. An open reading frame (1071 base pairs) in the cDNA encoded a protein of 357 amino acids with a molecular mass of 39.3 kD. The amino acid sequence contained three regions that are highly conserved among peroxidases from eight different plants. Purified AZ42 exhibited peroxidase activity. The basic glycoprotein induced by ethylene was identified as a cationic isozyme of peroxidase. The corresponding mRNA was not present in leaves that had not been treated with ethylene, but it appeared after 1 h of treatment with ethylene and its level increased for the next 15 h. Accumulation of the mRNA was also induced after wounding or treatment with salicylate. The wound-induced increase in the level of the mRNA was suppressed by 2,5-norbornadiene, but the salicylate-induced increase was not.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

No alteration in the primary structure of the mineralocorticoid receptor in a family with pseudohypoaldosteronism.

We have studied the molecular structure of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) complementary DNA (cDNA) in a kindred affected by pseudohypoaldosteronism (PHA). In this family, the clinical symptoms included salt wasting and failure to thrive, accompanied by high urinary levels of sodium despite hyponatremia, hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis, elevation of PRA, and high plasma aldosterone levels. The patients were resistant to mineralocorticoid administration, but their symptoms ameliorated after a period of sodium supplementation, which was discontinued in older patients. Binding studies performed on mononuclear leukocytes of the members of the family have shown the absence of MR in two siblings and a marked reduction in another sibling of the father, suggesting either the absence of MR or a defect of the ligand-binding domain of the MR in these patients. Southern analysis of patient's DNA did not show any major rearrangement of the MR gene. To search for point mutations in the cDNA of the MR, we performed amplification of the MR cDNA by the polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing of amplified products. No mutation was found in the entire coding sequence of the MR in patients affected by PHA. Although these results do not exclude a molecular abnormality present on the MR gene, they indicate that PHA in this family is not related to a modification of the MR primary structure.

Aldosterone↗

Cloning of DNA fragments complementary to tobacco nitrate reductase mRNA and encoding epitopes common to the nitrate reductases from higher plants.

Messenger RNAs encoding the nitrate reductase apoenzyme from tobacco can be translated in a cell-free system. Poly(A)+ mRNA fractions from the 23-32 S area of a sucrose gradient were used to build a cDNA library in the expression vector gt11 with an efficiency of cloning of approximately 10(4) recombinants/ng mRNA. Recombinant clones were screened with a rabbit polyclonal antibody directed against the corn nitrate reductase, which cross reacts specifically with the nitrate reductases from dicotyledons. Among 240000 recombinant plaques, eight clones were isolated containing inserts of sizes ranging from 1.6 kb to 2.1 kb and sharing sequence homologies. Seven of these clones contained a common internal 1.6 kb EcoRI fragment. The identity of these clones was confirmed as follows. A fusion protein of 170 kDa inducible by IPTG and recognized by the rabbit nitrate reductase antibody was expressed by a lysogen derived from one of the recombinants. The antibodies binding the fused protein were eluted and shown to be inhibitory to the catalytic activity of tobacco nitrate reductase. Two monoclonal antibodies directed against nitrate reductase were also able to bind the hybrid protein. The 1.6 kb EcoRI fragment was sequenced by the method of Sanger. The open reading frame corresponding to a translational fusion with the -galactosidase coding sequence of the vector shared strong homology at the amino acid level with the heme-binding domain of proteins of the cytochrome b5 superfamily and with human erythrocyte cytochrome b5 reductase. When the 1.6 kb EcoRI fragment was used as a probe for Northern blot experiments a signal corresponding to a 3.5 kb RNA was detected in tobacco and in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia mRNA preparations but no cross-hybridization with corn mRNAs was detected. The probe hybridized with low copy number sequences in genomic blots of tobacco DNA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification and characterization of a cDNA encoding cytochrome P450 3A from the fresh water teleost medaka (Oryzias latipes).

A new member of the CYP3A gene family has been cloned from the teleost fish medaka (Oryzias latipes) by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Degenerate primers homologous to highly conserved regions of known CYP3A sequences were used for initial RT-PCRs. Individual PCR products were cloned, sequenced, and identified as those belonging to the cytochrome P450 superfamily based on amino acid sequence similarity and the presence of the highly conserved heme-binding region. PCR products were subsequently used as probes to screen a complementary DNA library. A full-length cDNA clone was identified containing a 1758-base-pair (bp) insert with an open reading frame encoding a single peptide of 500 amino acids. Comparisons of the deduced amino acid sequence to other known cytochrome P450 sequences indicate that this gene product is most similar to the CYP3A gene family and has been designated as CYP3A38 by the cytochrome P450 nomenclature committee. Northern blot analysis identified two abundant CYP3A related transcripts in liver of both male and female adults and demonstrated quantitative differences in abundance according to gender. Similarly, Western blot analysis demonstrated the presence of two abundant cytochrome P450 related proteins in liver of both male and female adults. These results suggests that O. latipes contains multiple forms of CYP3A. Heterologous expression of CYP3A38 cDNA in HEK 293 cells produced a single protein that was reactive with anti-scup P450A (CYP3A) polyclonal antibody. Microsomes of HEK 293 cells expressing recombinant CYP3A38 protein actively catalyzed the hydroxylation of testosterone.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular cloning and characterization of a birch pollen minor allergen, Bet v 5, belonging to a family of isoflavone reductase-related proteins.

BACKGROUND: Birch pollen is a major cause of pollinosis and is responsible for cross-reactive oral allergies to fruits, nuts, and vegetables. The major allergen, Bet v 1, has been extensively characterized, and 3 minor allergens, Bet v 2, Bet v 3, and Bet v 4, have been cloned and sequenced. Recently, another birch pollen protein with an apparent mass of 35 kd was described as a new IgE-binding protein in birch pollen with cross-reacting homologues in plant foods. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the primary structure of the 35-kd birch pollen allergen and to investigate its immunologic properties. METHODS: On the basis of a known complementary DNA fragment, a PCR strategy was applied to obtain the full-length nucleotide sequence of the coding region. The protein was expressed as His-Tag fusion protein in Escherichia coli and purified by Ni-chelate affinity chromatography. Nonfusion protein was obtained by cyanogen bromide treatment of the fusion protein. IgE-binding characteristics and potential allergenicity were investigated by immunoblot, immunoblot inhibition analysis, rat basophil leukemia-cell mediator release assay, and basophil histamine release and compared with those of natural (n) Bet v 5, recombinant (r)Bet v 1, and rBet v 2. RESULTS: Recombinant Bet v 5 has a mass of 33 kd, an isoelectric point of 9.0, and sequence identity of 60% to 80% to isoflavone reductase homologue proteins from various plants. On immunoblots the recombinant Bet v 5 bound IgE from 9 (32%) of 28 sera from patients allergic to birch pollen with a CAP class of at least 3; Bet v 1 was detected by 89% of these patients. IgE immunoblot and inhibition experiments showed that nBet v 5 and rBet v 5 shared identical epitopes. A rabbit antiserum raised against pea isoflavone reductase and patients' IgE reacted with Bet v 5 and proteins of similar size in several vegetable foods, including exotic fruits. A similar reaction pattern was obtained with 2 Bet v 5-specific mAbs. Furthermore, Bet v 5 triggered a dose-dependent mediator release from rat basophil leukemia 2H3 cells passively sensitized with murine anti-birch pollen IgE and from basophils of a Bet v 5-reactive subject with birch pollen allergy. In contrast, no mediator release could be induced from basophils of a subject who was monosensitized to Bet v 1. CONCLUSIONS: This 33-kd protein, designated as Bet v 5, is a new minor allergen in birch pollen and may be responsible for pollen-related oral allergy to specific foods in a minority of patients with birch pollen allergy. Amino acid sequence comparison and immunoreactivity to anti-isoflavone reductase serum indicate that Bet v 5 is related to isoflavone reductase, a protein family that is involved in plant defense reactions.

Allergens↗

Molecular cloning and chromosomal localization of a human gene homologous to the murine R-PTP-kappa, a receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins plays an important role in cellular signaling and many cellular activities. The levels of cellular phosphorylation are reversibly controlled by protein tyrosine kinases and protein tyrosine phosphatases. The murine R-PTP-kappa, a receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase, has recently been cloned (Jiang et al. (1993) Mol. Cell. Biol. 13, 2942-2951). In order to identify the protein tyrosine phosphatases critical to the cellular signal transduction in human keratinocytes, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based strategy was employed, and we have cloned a human homologue of the murine R-PTP-kappa. Here, we report the isolation of a complementary DNA encoding a human R-PTP-kappa. Of the several overlapping cDNA clones, one clone, which we originally termed p55-7, was found to encode a transmembrane protein of 1440 amino acids and was highly conserved with murine R-PTP-kappa with 98% identity at the amino-acid levels. The human R-PTP-kappa gene was localized to chromosome 6 by southern hybridization of DNA from a rodent/human somatic cell mapping panel. Northern blot analysis of RNA from several human tissues revealed, like the murine R-PTP-kappa, the presence of a major mRNA of approx. 7.0 kb and a minor mRNA of approx. 5.3 kb. In contrast to the expression of murine R-PTP-kappa which was highly expressed in liver and kidney, the human R-PTP-kappa was predominantly expressed in spleen, prostate, and ovary. However, the transcripts were detectable at various levels in all examined tissues (thymus, testis, small intestine, and colon) except for PBL (peripheral blood leukocytes). In addition, human R-PTP-kappa displayed a restricted pattern of expression among a series of cell lines, and was apparently expressed in an epidermal cells and cell lines (human normal keratinocytes, HaCaT, and A431), but was not detectable in other cell lines tested after longer exposure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular cloning and expression of a pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata) homologue of mammalian putative tumor suppressor QM.

The QM gene was originally identified as a putative tumor suppressor gene from a Wilms' tumor cell line by subtractive hybridization assay. Later studies showed that the QM protein is multifunctional, involved in cell growth and differentiation, energy metabolism, respiration, and cytoskeletal function. In this report a full-length complementary DNA encoding a QM counterpart in pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata) was isolated. Phylogenetic analysis shows that oyster QM is more closely related to its insect homologues than to the mammalian homologues. Analysis of the tissue expression pattern of the oyster QM gene showed that oyster QM messenger RNA is expressed in all tissues tested, with highest levels in the digestive gland and mantle. Furthermore, we expressed the QM protein in Escherichia coli; Western blotting showed that the antibody of human QM is immunoreactive to the expressed oyster QM protein. Incubation of the oyster QM with Zn2+ resulted in the reduction of intrinsic emission fluorescence and a red-shift in the lambda(max) emission, indicating the occurrence of Zn(2+)-induced conformational changes. This evidence presents a possible mechanism for the critical function of zinc ion in the interaction of QM with Jun.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular and cytogenetic characterization of the mouse ATP-binding cassette transporter Abcg4.

We have cloned a new mouse ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, Abcg4, from a complementary DNA (cDNA) library of mouse brain. The cloned Abcg4 cDNA encodes a protein consisting of 646 amino acids and including one ATP-binding cassette and six transmembrane domains. The Abcg4 protein exhibits high identity (96%) with human ABCG4 in terms of the amino acid sequence. Fluorescence in situ hybridization with mouse and rat chromosomes has revealed that the Abcg4 gene is located on chromosomes 9A5.3 and 8q22 distal in mouse and rat, respectively. In these loci on mouse and rat chromosomes, conserved linkage homologies were hitherto identified with human chromosome 11q23, which involves the human ABCG4 gene. The mouse Abcg4 gene as well as the human ABCG4 gene each has a total of 14 exons to encode its respective protein. High transcript levels of mouse Abcg4 were detected in mouse brain, spleen, eye, and bone marrow. Taken together, our data on the chromosomal location, gene homology, protein structure, and phylogenetic relationships strongly support the idea that mouse Abcg4 is orthologue to the human ABCG4. By functionally analyzing the mouse Abcg4 protein, we may better understand the biological role of the human ABCG4 transporter.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G↗

Molecular cloning of ovine and bovine growth hormone-releasing hormone receptors: the ovine receptor is C-terminally truncated.

To provide information about species differences in GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) receptors useful for studies of receptor-ligand binding properties and receptor function, we have cloned the ovine and bovine pituitary GHRH receptors (GHRHRs). The ovine receptor (oGHRHR) was cloned from a pituitary complementary DNA library and encodes a protein that is similar to that of porcine, human, rat, and mouse with, respectively, 84.3, 80.7, 75.9, and 74.0% amino acid identity. Surprisingly, oGHRHR has a 16 amino acid truncation at its carboxyl-terminal end when compared with GHRHRs from other known mammals. RT-PCR using pooled pituitary RNA from a different population of sheep could detect only truncated receptor. Bovine GHRHR (bGHRHR) was cloned by RT-PCR and shows 92.5% amino acid sequence identity with oGHRHR, but has no truncation. Genomic sequencing of the appropriate region of goat receptor intron 13 showed that the caprine receptor shares the same truncation seen in sheep. Photoaffinity cross-linking of GHRH to ovine and bovine pituitary membranes confirms that the native ovine pituitary GHRHR protein is smaller by the amount predicted by the cloned sequences. The truncation did not affect GHRH binding as oGHRHR, bGHRHR, human GHRHR, and human GHRHR, which was truncated by site-directed mutagenesis to match the oGHRHR, all showed comparable GHRH binding affinity when expressed in transfected cell lines. In contrast, the ovine and truncated human receptors demonstrated enhanced sensitivity for GHRH stimulation of cAMP (lowered ED(50)) relative to hGHRHR and bGHRHR. This suggests that this C-terminal domain acts to inhibit cAMP signaling possibly through a role in receptor down regulation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Determination of the cDNA sequence and mRNA expression of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in horses and compare messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of IL-1ra among horses of various breeds. SAMPLE POPULATION: Blood samples from neonatal and adult horses examined for a variety of diseases. PROCEDURE: A polymerase chain reaction procedure was used to amplify a 220 base pair (bp) portion of the genomic DNA. The upstream and downstream regions of the cDNA sequence were determined by means of 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) procedures. Northern blot hybridization was used to examine steady-state mRNA expression of IL-1ra. RESULTS: The consensus sequence of the cDNA obtained with the 5'-RACE procedure and the sequence for the 220 bp portion of the genomic DNA represented the putative sequence for secreted IL-1ra. The predicted secreted IL-1ra amino acid sequence contained 176 residues with an in-frame stop codon; the N-terminal 25 amino acid residues resembled the signal peptide reported for human secreted IL-1ra. An approximately 1.3 kilobase pair (kb) band that represented a portion of the 3' end of the coding region and the 3' untranslated region was obtained by use of the 3' -RACE procedure. Northern blot hybridization detected a 1.6 kb transcript in blood RNA from adult Arabian, Belgian, Thoroughbred, and Standardbred horses. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that the DNA for equine secreted IL-1ra has a short (29 bp) 5' untranslated region, a 534 bp coding region, and a long (approximately 1,080 bp) untranslated region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Detection of differentially expressed genes in lymphomas using cDNA arrays: identification of clusterin as a new diagnostic marker for anaplastic large-cell lymphomas.

This study reports the first use of gene array technology for the identification of a tumor-specific marker in lymphoid neoplasms. The differential gene expression of 31 hematopoietic cell lines, representing most major lymphoma subgroups of B- and T-cell origin, was assessed by hybridizing labeled complementary DNA to Atlas human expression arrays containing 588 genes. Genes known to be specific for B, T, or myelomonocytic lineages were appropriately identified in the arrays, validating the general utility of this approach. One gene, clusterin, not previously known to be expressed in lymphoid neoplasms, was specifically found in all 4 anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) cell lines, but not in any of the 27 remaining tumor lines. Using a monoclonal antibody against clusterin, its differential expression was confirmed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. A total of 198 primary lymphomas (representing most major lymphoma subtypes), including 36 cases of systemic ALCL, were surveyed for clusterin expression by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. All of the 36 ALCL cases marked for clusterin, with most cases showing moderate to strong staining in the majority of neoplastic cells. Clusterin expression was not related to expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase-1. With 2 exceptions, none of the remaining 162 non-ALCL cases marked with the clusterin antibody, including Hodgkin disease and primary cutaneous ALCL. In reactive lymphoid tissues, only follicular dendritic cells and fibroblastic reticular cells exhibited staining. Clusterin is a highly conserved glycoprotein implicated in intercellular and cell matrix interactions, regulation of the complement system, lipid transport, stress responses, and apoptosis. Although its function in ALCL is unknown, the unique expression of clusterin within this category of lymphoma provides an additional marker for the diagnosis of ALCL. This study illustrates the enormous potential of gene array technologies for diagnostic marker discovery. (Blood. 2000;96:398-404)

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Cloning and mRNA expression analysis of a novel human protooncogene, c-mer.

A human B-lymphoblastoid lambda gt11 expression library was screened using anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies yielding complementary DNAs encoding active tyrosine kinases. The resulting clones were used to obtain the sequence of a novel 984 amino acid transmembrane tyrosine kinase. Analysis of the complementary DNA revealed extracellular immunoglobulin and fibronectin type III domains and the unusual kinase signature sequence KWIAIES; all are characteristic of the axl family of tyrosine kinases. The novel tyrosine kinase was not expressed in normal B- and T-lymphocytes but, unlike axl, was expressed in numerous neoplastic B- and T-cell lines. Transcripts for the novel receptor-like tyrosine kinase were detected in normal peripheral blood monocytes and bone marrow. One alternatively spliced transcript was detected which contained an insert in the membrane proximal region that could encode for a truncated, soluble receptor. Sequence comparison shows that the kinase may be the human protooncogene for the recently isolated chicken retroviral oncogene v-ryk (recently renamed v-eyk), a truncated tyrosine kinase whose expression by retroviral infection produced sarcomas in chickens. The intracellular domain of the human kinase shows 83% similarity and 71% identity to v-ryk. Since the ryk designation has been used to name another tyrosine kinase and an analysis of RNA expression demonstrated that this novel human kinase is expressed in monocytes and tissues of epithelial and reproductive origin, we have designated our novel protooncogene c-mer.

Alternative Splicing↗

Cloning, physical mapping and expression analysis of the human 5-HT3 serotonin receptor-like genes HTR3C, HTR3D and HTR3E.

For more than 50 years the serotonin system has been the subject of intense research. This has provided an exciting insight and led to the discovery of multiple drugs targeting serotonin receptors, metabolising enzymes and re-uptake sites. During the past few years researchers focussed especially on elucidating the complexity of different physiological actions in the serotonergic network. We have identified two novel human serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor-like genes, HTR3D and HTR3E, by performing homology searches using the public human sequence databases and subsequently cloned the full length cDNAs by 5' and 3' rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends. Mapping of HTR3D and HTR3E by hybridisation, polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence in situ hybridisation revealed that both genes together with HTR3C are clustered in a subinterval of less than 100 kb on chromosome 3q27. Comparative expression analysis of all HTR3 genes, namely HTR3A, B, C, D and E showed HTR3D expression to be restricted to kidney, colon and liver and HTR3E expression to colon and intestine, whereas all other genes are widely expressed in many tissues including brain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Polymorphisms at the G72/G30 gene locus, on 13q33, are associated with bipolar disorder in two independent pedigree series.

Linkage evidence suggests that chromosome 13 (13q32-33) contains susceptibility genes for both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Recently, genes called "G72" and "G30" were identified, and polymorphisms of these overlapping genes were reported to be associated with schizophrenia. We studied two series of pedigrees with bipolar disorder: the Clinical Neurogenetics (CNG) pedigrees (in which linkage to illness had been previously reported at 13q32-33), with 83 samples from 22 multiplex families, and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Genetics Initiative pedigrees, with 474 samples from 152 families. Sixteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped at and around the G72/G30 locus, which covered a 157-kb region encompassing the entire complementary DNA sequences of G72 and G30. We performed transmission/disequilibrium testing (TDT) and haplotype analysis, since a linkage-disequilibrium block was present at this gene locus. In the CNG and NIMH data sets, the results of global TDT of the entire haplotype set were significant and consistent (P=.0004 and P=.008, respectively). In the CNG series, the associated genotypes divided the families into those with linkage and those without linkage (partitioned by the linkage evidence). Analysis of the decay of haplotype sharing gave a location estimate that included G72/G30 in its 95% confidence interval. Although statistically significant association was not detected for individual SNPs in the NIMH data set, the same haplotype was consistently overtransmitted in both series. These data suggest that a susceptibility variant for bipolar illness exists in the vicinity of the G72/G30 genes. Taken together with the earlier report, this is the first demonstration of a novel gene(s), discovered through a positional approach, independently associated with both bipolar illness and schizophrenia.

Alternative Splicing↗

The sucrose transporter gene family in rice.

In this paper we report the identification, cloning and expression analysis of four putative sucrose transporter (SUT) genes from rice, designated OsSUT2, 3, 4 and 5. Three of the four genes were identified through extensive searches of the recently published draft sequence of the rice genome. Along with the previously reported OsSUT1 we propose that these five genes comprise the rice SUT gene family. Complementary DNA clones were isolated for the four newly identified genes. The deduced proteins of all five SUT genes were predicted to contain 12 membrane-spanning helices and a domain highly conserved throughout all known plant SUTs, suggesting the four additional OsSUT genes encode functional SUTs. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis was performed in order to investigate the expression pattern of each member of the SUT family in rice. A differing but overlapping expression pattern was observed for each member of the SUT family at different stages through plant development. These results, together with the structural variations apparent from the deduced protein sequences, suggest that the five SUTs possess diverse roles in both sink and source tissues. We also discuss the classification and evolution of the rice SUT gene family, using a comparison of the gene structures and deduced amino acid sequences with other known plant SUT genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The elongated PAP II/Reg III mRNA is upregulated in rat pancreas during acute experimental pancreatitis.

INTRODUCTION: The pathogenesis and the mechanism of the development of severe acute pancreatitis are not clearly understood. AIMS: We performed differential display analysis to find genes that show transcriptional changes in the pancreas during the development of severe acute pancreatitis in the rat. METHODOLOGY: Twenty candidate pancreatitis-associated complementary DNA (cDNA) fragments were isolated. cDNA sequencing and subsequent database analysis revealed that one fragment (C18-2) among the 20 cDNA fragments showed no significant sequence similarity to previously reported genes, suggesting that it represented a novel gene. The rapid and high expression of C18-2 during the acute phase of pancreatitis suggested that the gene was involved in the development of acute pancreatitis. Therefore, we used rapid amplification of cDNA ends and identified the full-length cDNA. RESULTS: Analysis of the open reading frame of the cDNA indicated that the deduced protein from the messenger RNA (mRNA) was a polypeptide of 174 amino acids, unexpectedly similar to that of a known gene, rat pancreatitis-associated protein II/regenerating gene III (PAP II/Reg III). However, the length of the identified mRNA (1,467 base pairs) was longer than that of rat PAP II mRNA (885 base pairs), because the elongated mRNA was generated through the different polyadenylation site in the same gene. The elongated mRNA after acute pancreatitis was strongly induced in the restricted early phase, in comparison with the original mRNA. CONCLUSION: It is considered that the elongated mRNA affects the function of PAP II/Reg III protein because the elongated mRNA with long 3; untranslated regions is known to be involved in the translation efficiency. The identified mRNA may play an important role in the progression of pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗

Functional coherence of the human Y chromosome.

A systematic search of the nonrecombining region of the human Y chromosome (NRY) identified 12 novel genes or families, 10 with full-length complementary DNA sequences. All 12 genes, and six of eight NRY genes or families previously isolated by less systematic means, fell into two classes. Genes in the first group were expressed in many organs; these housekeeping genes have X homologs that escape X inactivation. The second group, consisting of Y-chromosomal gene families expressed specifically in testes, may account for infertility among men with Y deletions. The coherence of the NRY's gene content contrasts with the apparently haphazard content of most eukaryotic chromosomes.

Adult↗