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Molecular cloning and characterization of hNP22: a gene up‐regulated in human alcoholic brain
Author(s) -
Fan Li,
Jaquet Vincent,
Dodd Peter R.,
Chen Wenbin,
Wilce Peter A.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2001.00176.x
Subject(s) - complementary dna , biology , cdna library , gene , peptide sequence , microbiology and biotechnology , homology (biology) , molecular cloning , casein kinase 2 , protein kinase c , genetics , signal transduction , mitogen activated protein kinase kinase
An improved differential display technique was used to search for changes in gene expression in the superior frontal cortex of alcoholics. A cDNA fragment was retrieved and cloned. Further sequence of the cDNA was determined from 5′ RACE and screening of a human brain cDNA library. The gene was named hNP22 (human neuronal protein 22). The deduced protein sequence of hNP22 has an estimated molecular mass of 22.4 kDa with a putative calcium‐binding site, and phosphorylation sites for casein kinase II and protein kinase C. The deduced amino acid sequence of hNP22 shares homology (from 67% to 42%) with four other proteins, SM22α, calponin, myophilin and mp20. Sequence homology suggests a potential interaction of hNP22 with cytoskeletal elements. hNP22 mRNA was expressed in various brain regions but in alcoholics, greater mRNA expression occurred in the superior frontal cortex, but not in the primary motor cortex or cerebellum. The results suggest that hNP22 may have a role in alcohol‐related adaptations and may mediate regulatory signal transduction pathways in neurones.