Premium
Molecular cloning of a novel mRNA using an antibody directed against synaptic glycoproteins
Author(s) -
Johnston I. G.,
Rush S. J.,
Gurd J. W.,
Brown Ian R.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.490320205
Subject(s) - complementary dna , glycoprotein , biology , northern blot , expression cloning , cdna library , messenger rna , molecular cloning , microbiology and biotechnology , cloning (programming) , biochemistry , gene , computer science , programming language
It has been suggested by a number of investigators that glycoproteins may play a role in the development and/or maintenance of synapses in the mammalian CNS. For many synaptic glycoproteins, however, little precise structural or functional information is available. In an effort to isolate probes specific to individual glycoproteins, we have screened a rat brain cDNA expression library with a mixed polyclonal antibody directed against concanavalin A‐binding synaptic junctional glycoproteins. Using this approach, we have previously reported the cloning of SC1, a putative extracellular matrix glycoprotein found in adult brain (Johnston et al., Neuron 2:165–176, 1990). We now report the cloning and characterization of a second novel cDNA, which has been designated SC2. Northern blots show that this cDNA recognizes a 1.2‐kb mRNA that is present throughout postnatal development in the rat. It is expressed at high levels in brain and is also found at lower levels in several other tissues. In situ hybridization suggests that the SC2 mRNA is strongly expressed by many types of neurons. Sequence data reveals a single open reading frame in the cDNA, encoding a putative hydrophobic protein with a calculated molecular weight of 36.1 kDa. Sequence analysis reveals some similarity between SC2 and 5α‐reductase, a microsomal membrane protein important in testosterone metabolism. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.