Identification and characterization of a novel isoform of hepatopoietin

To isolate a novel isoform of human HPO (HPO-205) from human fetal liver Marathon-ready cDNA and characterize its primary biological function.

5'-RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA 5' ends) was used to isolate a novel isoform of hHPO in this paper. The constructed pcDNA(HPO-205), pcDNA(HPO) and pcDNA eukaryotic expression vectors were respectively transfected by lipofectamine method and the stimulation of DNA synthesis was observed by (3)H-TdR incorporation assay. Proteins extracted from different cells were analyzed by Western blot.

A novel isoform of hHPO (HPO-205) encoding a 205 amino acid ORF corresponding to a translated production of 23 kDa was isolated and distinguished from the previous HPO that lacked the N-terminal 80 amino acids. The dose-dependent stimulation of DNA synthesis of HepG2 hepatoma cells by HPO-205 demonstrated its similar biological activity with HPO in vitro. The level of MAPK (Mitogen-activated protein kinase) phosphorylation by Western blot analysis revealed that HPO-205 might have the stronger activity of stimulating hepatic cell proliferation than that of HPO.

A novel isoform of hHPO (HPO-205) was isolated from hepatic-derived cells. The comparison of HPO-205 and HPO will lead to a new insight into the structure and function of hHPO, and provide the new way of thinking to deeply elucidate the biological roles of HPO/ALR.