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Cloning of a novel four repeat protein related to voltage‐gated sodium and calcium channels
Author(s) -
Lee Jung-Ha,
Cribbs Leanne L.,
Perez-Reyes Edward
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(99)00082-4
Subject(s) - cloning (programming) , sodium channel , gating , ion channel , voltage gated ion channel , biology , molecular cloning , microbiology and biotechnology , peptide sequence , genetics , gene , chemistry , biophysics , sodium , receptor , organic chemistry , computer science , programming language
Cloning has led to the discovery of more ion channels than predicted by functional studies, yet there remain channels that have not been cloned. We report the cloning of a novel protein that contains the four domain structure found in voltage‐gated Ca 2+ and Na + channels. Phylogenetic relationships suggested that the protein might have diverged from an ancestral four repeat channel before the divergence of Ca 2+ and Na + channels. Northern blot analysis showed that mRNA transcripts encoding the protein are expressed predominantly in the brain, moderately in the heart, and weakly in the pancreas. Despite extensive expression attempts, currents from the putative channel were not detected. Based on its sequence, we propose that the novel protein might be a voltage‐activated cation channel with unique gating properties.