Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026
07:30
HSV-Mediated Transgene Expression of Chimeric Constructs to Study Behavioral Function of GPCR Heteromers in Mice
Published on: July 9, 2016
Mouse histamine N-methyltransferase: cDNA cloning, expression, gene cloning and chromosomal localization
1Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Graduate School-Mayo Clinic-Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905 USA.
Summary
Researchers cloned the mouse histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) gene and cDNA. This allows for studying the genetic regulation of this histamine-metabolizing enzyme in mice.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) is crucial for histamine metabolism via Ntau-methylation.
- Understanding HNMT regulation is key to histamine-related physiological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clone the mouse liver HNMT cDNA and the mouse HNMT gene.
- To enable characterization of molecular genetic mechanisms regulating HNMT.
Main Methods:
- A PCR-based strategy was employed to clone the mouse HNMT cDNA and its corresponding gene (Hnmt).
- Recombinant mouse HNMT was expressed from the cDNA for functional analysis.
- Chromosomal localization of the Hnmt gene was determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization.
Main Results:
- The mouse HNMT cDNA is 1657 bp, encoding a 296-amino acid protein (32.5 kDa) 84% identical to human HNMT.
- Recombinant mouse HNMT exhibited Km values of 5.3 µM for histamine and 5.8 µM for S-adenosyl-L-methionine (Ado-Met).
- The mouse Hnmt gene spans ~25 kb, contains 7 exons, and is located on mouse chromosome 2, syntenic to human chromosome 2q22.
Conclusions:
- Cloning and functional characterization of mouse HNMT provide essential tools.
- Future studies can now investigate the molecular genetic regulation of this enzyme in a mouse model.
