Isolation and heterologous expression of a cDNA encoding bovine inositol polyphosphate 1-phosphatase.

Inositol polyphosphate 1-phosphatase, an enzyme of the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway, catalyzes the hydrolysis of the 1-position phosphate from inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate and inositol 1,4-bisphosphate. The protein was isolated from calf brain and digested with trypsin or CNBr, and the amino acid sequence of several peptides was determined. Degenerate oligonucleotide primers were designed from amino acid sequence and used to synthesize an 80-base-pair (bp) fragment by the polymerase chain reaction. This product was used to isolate a 1.6-kbp cDNA with an open reading frame of 400 amino acids, 185 bp of 5' untranslated region, and 171 bp of 3' untranslated region followed by a putative poly(A) tail. The coding region of the cDNA was inserted into an expression vector that was used to obtain the recombinant protein from Escherichia coli cells. The recombinant enzyme (44 kDa) had a specific activity and other properties similar to those of native bovine brain inositol polyphosphate 1-phosphatase. It hydrolyzed both inositol phosphate substrates and was inhibited by lithium ions. The enzyme shows minimal sequence similarity to inositol monophosphate phosphatase, the other enzyme inhibited by lithium ions in the signaling pathway.     

Cloning, characterization, expression, and chromosomal localization of a human ferritin heavy-chain gene.

A genomic phage clone containing a full-length copy of a functional human gene for ferritin heavy chain has been isolated. The gene consists of four exons spanning approximately 3 kilobases and has been localized to chromosome 11. The functionality of the gene was demonstrated by the fact that both transient transfectants and stable transformants of murine fibroblasts actively transcribe human ferritin heavy-chain mRNA.     

Cloning, sequencing, and chromosomal localization of human term placental alkaline phosphatase cDNA.

A human term (third trimester) placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP; EC 3.1.3.1) cDNA was isolated from a human placental lambda gt11 cDNA library. The expression library was screened by using rabbit antibodies against PLAP and oligonucleotide probes. DNA sequence analysis of a positive clone with an insert of 2.7 kilobase pairs allowed us to predict the complete amino acid sequence of PLAP (530 residues), which coincided with the reported 42 N-terminal amino acid sequence of PLAP except at position 3. Contrary to the previous supposition that there was no amino acid sequence homology between PLAP and Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase (471 residues), we found 30% overall homology, with regions of strong homology including the putative active site and the metal-binding sites. The 44-residue C-terminal extension of PLAP has a stretch of 17 hydrophobic amino acids, which presumably anchors the protein to the plasma membrane, a change perhaps necessary for the transition from a bacterial periplasmic enzyme to a mammalian membrane-associated enzyme. We have also localized PLAP-related DNA sequences mainly on chromosome 2 and to a lesser degree on chromosome 17. It seems likely therefore that the PLAP gene resides on chromosome 2 and other member(s) of the alkaline phosphatase family may exist (on this chromosome and) on chromosome 17.     

Cloning, chromosomal localization, and functional expression of the alpha 1 subunit of the L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel from normal human heart.

A unique structural variant of the cardiac L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel alpha 1 subunit cDNA was isolated from libraries derived from normal human heart mRNA. The deduced amino acid sequence shows significant homology to other calcium channel alpha 1 subunits. However, differences from the rabbit heart alpha 1 include a shortened N-terminus, a unique C-terminal insertion, and both forms of an alternatively spliced motif IV S3 region. The shortened N-terminus provides optimal access to consensus sequences thought to facilitate translation. Northern blot analysis revealed a single hybridizing mRNA species of 9.4 kb. The gene for the human heart alpha 1 subunit was localized specifically to the distal region of chromosome 12p13. The cloned alpha 1 subunit was expressed in Xenopus oocytes and single-channel analyses revealed native-like pharmacology and channel properties.     

The inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase forms a complex with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in human platelet cytosol

Inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase (4-phosphatase) is an enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of the 4-position phosphate from phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4)P2]. In human platelets the formation of this phosphatidylinositol, by the actions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), correlates with irreversible platelet aggregation. We have shown previously that a phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 5-phosphatase forms a complex with the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase. In this study we investigated whether PI 3-kinase also forms a complex with the 4-phosphatase in human platelets. Immunoprecipitates of the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase from human platelet cytosol contained 4-phosphatase enzyme activity and a 104-kDa polypeptide recognized by specific 4-phosphatase antibodies. Similarly, immunoprecipitates made using 4-phosphatase-specific antibodies contained PI 3-kinase enzyme activity and an 85-kDa polypeptide recognized by antibodies to the p85 adapter subunit of PI 3-kinase. After thrombin activation, the 4-phosphatase translocated to the actin cytoskeleton along with PI 3-kinase in an integrin- and aggregation-dependent manner. The majority of the PI 3-kinase/4-phosphatase complex (75%) remained in the cytosolic fraction. We propose that the complex formed between the two enzymes serves to localize the 4-phosphatase to sites of PtdIns(3,4)P2 production.     

Antidepressant- and cocaine-sensitive human serotonin transporter: molecular cloning, expression, and chromosomal localization.

A Na(+)- and Cl(-)-coupled serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) transporter is expressed on human neuronal, platelet, placental, and pulmonary membranes. The brain 5HT transporter appears to be a principal site of action of therapeutic antidepressants and may mediate behavioral and/or toxic effects of cocaine and amphetamines. Oligonucleotides derived from consensus transporter sequences were used to identify human placental cDNAs highly related to the rat brain 5HT carrier. Transfection of one of these cDNAs into HeLa cells yields a high-affinity (Km = 463 nM), Na(+)- and Cl(-)-dependent 5HT transport activity which can be blocked by selective 5HT transport inhibitors, including paroxetine, fluoxetine, and imipramine, and which is antagonized by cocaine and amphetamine. Sequence analysis reveals a 630-amino acid open reading frame bearing 92% identity to the cloned rat brain 5HT transporter, with identical predicted topological features and conserved sites for posttranslational modifications. Unlike the rodent, where a single mRNA appears to encode 5HT transporters, multiple hybridizing RNAs are observed in human placenta and lung. Somatic cell hybrid and in situ hybridization studies are consistent, however, with a single gene encoding the human 5HT transporter, localized to chromosome 17q11.1-17q12.     

Primary structure, chromosomal localization, and functional expression of a voltage-gated sodium channel from human brain.

A cDNA library derived from human cerebral cortex was screened for the presence of sodium channel alpha subunit-specific clones. Ligation of three overlapping clones generated a full-length cDNA clone, HBA, that provided the complete nucleotide sequence coding for a protein of 2005 amino acids. The predicted structure suggests four homologous repeats and exhibits greatest homology and structural similarity to the rat brain sodium channel II. A second cDNA clone, HBB, that encodes a different subtype of sodium channel was isolated. Hybridization of DNA fragments from the 3' untranslated region of HBA and PCR with primers derived from HBB with human-hamster somatic cell hybrids localized these clones to human chromosome 2. In situ hybridization to human metaphase chromosomes mapped the structural genes for both HBA and HBB sodium channels to chromosome 2q23-24.3. The sodium channel HBA gene product was expressed by transfection in CHO cells. Expressed HBA currents were voltage-dependent, sodium-selective, and tetrodotoxin-sensitive and, thus, exhibit the biophysical and pharmacological properties characteristic of sodium channels.     

Cloning and chromosomal location of human alpha 1(XVI) collagen.

We have characterized cDNA clones that encode a newly discovered collagenous polypeptide. A 4-kilobase (kb) cDNA clone was initially isolated by screening a human fibroblast cDNA library with a probe encoding the collagenous domain of the human alpha 3(VI) collagen. Subsequent screening of another fibroblast cDNA library yielded overlapping clones having a total length of 5.4 kb, which contained an open reading frame of 1603 amino acids including a 21-amino acid signal peptide. The predicted polypeptide consists of 10 collagenous domains 15-422 amino acids long, which were interspersed with 11 noncollagenous (NC) domains. Except for a large N-terminal NC11 domain of 312 residues, most of the NC domains were short (11-39 residues) and cysteine-rich. The overall structural arrangement differed significantly from other known collagen chains. Further analysis indicated that the deduced polypeptide exhibited several structural features characteristically seen in members of the fibril-associated collagen, types IX, XII, and XIV. In addition, the cysteine-rich motifs in the NC domains resembled those found in the cuticle collagen of Caenorhabditis elegans. Northern blot analyses showed hybridization of the cDNA to a 5.5-kb mRNA in human fibroblasts and keratinocytes. The gene was localized by in situ hybridization to band p34-35 of human chromosome 1. The data clearly support the conclusion that the cDNA encodes a collagen chain that has not been previously described. We suggest that the cDNA clones encode the alpha 1 chain of type XVI collagen.     

Cloning and heterologous expression of glycosidase genes from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Genomic clones were isolated that code for three glycosidases proposed to be involved in the catabolism of cell wall components in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. alpha-Mannosidase (AMS1), exoglucanase (BGL1), and endochitinase (CTS1) genes were isolated with the aid of filter assays based on the hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl glycosides, which permitted the in situ monitoring of these glycosidase activities in yeast colonies. Uracil prototrophs resulting from transformation with a multicopy YEp24 yeast genomic library were screened, leading to the identification of transformants possessing high levels of glycosidase activity. Restriction maps of plasmids from multiple isolates were used to localize glycosidase-overproduction genes, which were subcloned into a Schizosaccharomyces pombe/S. cerevisiae shuttle vector. Transformation of Sch. pombe with BGL1 and CTS1 subclones resulted in the appearance of these activities in this organism, and an AMS1 plasmid caused a 2-fold increase in endogenous alpha-mannosidase levels. Insertion of the marker gene LEU2 into putative AMS1 sequences disrupted plasmid-encoded alpha-mannosidase overproduction. S. cerevisiae strains that incorporated a restriction fragment containing ams1::LEU2 into their chromosomal DNA by homologous recombination expressed no detectable alpha-mannosidase activity in either the haploid or homozygous recessive diploid states, whereas heterozygous and wild-type cells exhibited levels proportional to AMS1 gene dosage. No readily apparent phenotype was associated with the alpha-mannosidase deficiency; however, labeling experiments utilizing [2-3H]mannose suggest that alpha-mannosidase may function in mannan turnover.     

Phosphoinositide-specific inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase IV inhibits inositide trisphosphate accumulation in hypothalamus and regulates food intake and body weight

The enzyme phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) exerts an important role in the transduction of the anorexigenic and thermogenic signals delivered by insulin and leptin to first-order neurons of the arcuate nucleus in the hypothalamus. The termination of the intracellular signals generated by the activation of PI3-kinase depends on the coordinated activity of specific inositol phosphatases. Here we show that phosphoinositide-specific inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase IV (5ptase IV) is highly expressed in neurons of the arcuate and lateral nuclei of the hypothalamus. Upon intracerebroventricular (ICV) treatment with insulin, 5ptase IV undergoes a time-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation, which follows the same patterns of canonical insulin signaling through the insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate-2, and PI3-kinase. To evaluate the participation of 5ptase IV in insulin action in hypothalamus, we used a phosphorthioate-modified antisense oligonucleotide specific for this enzyme. The treatment of rats with this oligonucleotide for 4 d reduced the hypothalamic expression of 5ptase IV by approximately 80%. This was accompanied by an approximately 70% reduction of insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of 5ptase IV and an increase in basal accumulation of phosphorylated inositols in the hypothalamus. Finally, inhibition of hypothalamic 5ptase IV expression by the antisense approach resulted in reduced daily food intake and body weight loss. Thus, 5ptase IV is a powerful regulator of signaling through PI3-kinase in hypothalamus and may become an interesting target for therapeutics of obesity and related disorders.     

Human thrombopoietin: gene structure, cDNA sequence, expression, and chromosomal localization.

Thrombopoietin (TPO), a lineage-specific cytokine affecting the proliferation and maturation of megakaryocytes from committed progenitor cells, is believed to be the major physiological regulator of circulating platelet levels. Recently we have isolated a cDNA encoding a ligand for the murine c-mpl protooncogene and shown it to be TPO. By employing a murine cDNA probe, we have isolated a gene encoding human TPO from a human genomic library. The TPO locus spans over 6 kb and has a structure similar to that of the erythropoietin gene (EPO). Southern blot analysis of human genomic DNA reveals a hybridization pattern consistent with a single gene locus. The locus was mapped by in situ hybridization of metaphase chromosome preparations to chromosome 3q26-27, a site where a number of chromosomal abnormalities associated with thrombocythemia in cases of acute myeloid leukemia have been mapped. A human TPO cDNA was isolated by PCR from kidney mRNA. The cDNA encodes a protein with 80% identity to previously described murine TPO and is capable of initiating a proliferative signal to murine interleukin 3-dependent BaF3 cells expressing the murine or human TPO receptor.     

Molecular cloning and chromosomal localization of human 4-beta-galactosyltransferase.

A cDNA clone to human 4-beta-galactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.38) was isolated from a human liver lambda gt11 expression library by using a monospecific polyclonal antiserum to affinity-purified bovine enzyme. The authenticity of this cDNA clone has been demonstrated by several criteria. Under conditions of chronic treatment with the beta-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol, rat parotid glands show an approximately 10-fold increase in 4-beta-galactosyltransferase activity. The increased enzyme activity was reflected in dot-blot analysis of control and isoproterenol-treated rat parotid RNA by using the human cDNA as probe. Hybrid-selection and in vitro translation identified a protein product with a molecular mass of 47 kDa that was immunoprecipitated with the bovine antiserum. The full-length human cDNA clone was then isolated and the DNA sequence for the NH2-terminal portion of the protein was deduced. Comparison of the NH2-terminal protein sequence from the bovine protein with that of the human cDNA clone confirmed its identity. In addition, the human cDNA clone was used to localize the gene for 4-beta-galactosyltransferase to human chromosome 4 by Southern analysis of a somatic cell hybrid panel.     

Cloning and heterologous expression of Cryptococcus neoformans CnSRB1 cDNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In this study, we report the results of cloning, sequencing and functional analysis by complementation test of the putative Cryptococcus neoformans homolog CnSRB1. The nucleotide sequence revealed 63% identity, and the deduced amino acid sequence showed 66 and 64% identity to its respective homolog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans, respectively. Functional complementation test indicated that the putative CnSRB1 gene could compensate the defect caused by a mutation in ScSRB1 in the S. cerevisiae srb1 mutant. Taken together, these results suggest that the putative CnSrblp is a functional homolog of ScSrb1p.     

Cloning, expression, and localization of a rat brain high-affinity glycine transporter.

A cDNA clone encoding a glycine transporter has been isolated from rat brain by a combined PCR and plaque-hybridization strategy. mRNA synthesized from this clone (designated GLYT1) directs the expression of sodium- and chloride-dependent, high-affinity uptake of [3H]glycine by Xenopus oocytes. [3H]Glycine transport mediated by clone GLYT1 is blocked by sarcosine but is not blocked by methyl-aminoisobutyric acid or L-alanine, a substrate specificity similar to that described for a previously identified glycine-uptake system called system Gly. In situ hybridization reveals that GLYT1 is prominently expressed in the cervical spinal cord and brainstem, two regions of the central nervous system where glycine is a putative neurotransmitter. GLYT1 is also strongly expressed in the cerebellum and olfactory bulb and is expressed at lower levels in other brain regions. The open reading frame of the GLYT1 cDNA predicts a protein containing 633 amino acids with a molecular mass of approximately 70 kDA. The primary structure and hydropathicity profile of GLYT1 protein reveal that this protein is a member of the sodium- and chloride-dependent superfamily of transporters that utilize neurotransmitters and related substances as substrates.     

Cloning, sequencing, and expression of cDNA for human beta-glucuronidase.

We report here the cDNA sequence for human placental beta-glucuronidase (beta-D-glucuronoside glucuronosohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.31) and demonstrate expression of the human enzyme in transfected COS cells. We also sequenced a partial cDNA clone from human fibroblasts that contained a 153-base-pair deletion within the coding sequence and found a second type of cDNA clone from placenta that contained the same deletion. Nuclease S1 mapping studies demonstrated two types of mRNAs in human placenta that corresponded to the two types of cDNA clones isolated. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence determined for human spleen beta-glucuronidase agreed with that inferred from the DNA sequence of the two placental clones, beginning at amino acid 23, suggesting a cleaved signal sequence of 22 amino acids. When transfected into COS cells, plasmids containing either placental clone expressed an immunoprecipitable protein that contained N-linked oligosaccharides as evidenced by sensitivity to endoglycosidase F. However, only transfection with the clone containing the 153-base-pair segment led to expression of human beta-glucuronidase activity. These studies provide the sequence for the full-length cDNA for human beta-glucuronidase, demonstrate the existence of two populations of mRNA for beta-glucuronidase in human placenta, only one of which specifies a catalytically active enzyme, and illustrate the importance of expression studies in verifying that a cDNA is functionally full-length.