Cloning of a cDNA encoding a sequence-specific single-stranded-DNA-binding protein from Rattus norvegicus

In this paper, we report the isolation of a cDNA clone encoding a sequence-specific single-stranded-DNA-binding protein (SSDP) from rat (Rattus norvegicus). The full-length nucleotide sequence was determined and encodes a 361 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 37.7 kDa. This clone has approximately 80% homology to a previously isolated partial cDNA clone for SSDP from chicken (Gallus gallus). Northern blot analysis revealed two transcripts of 2.0 and 3.0 kb. The protein appears to be evolutionarily highly conserved with > 97% identity between chicken, rat, mouse and human. Chicken SSDP has been proposed to be involved in the transcriptional regulation of the alpha 2(I) collagen gene.