Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of full-length cDNA coding for mouse contrapsin

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Contrapsin is a protein found in mouse liver.
• Understanding its genetic makeup is crucial for biological research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize cDNA clones encoding mouse contrapsin.
• To determine the full-length sequence and identify key regulatory elements.

Main Methods:

• Construction of a mouse liver cDNA library in lambda gt11 expression vector.
• Isolation and sequencing of overlapping cDNA clones using M13 vector methods.
• Analysis of open reading frame, amino acid sequence, and polyadenylation signals.

Main Results:

• Four overlapping cDNA clones encoding contrapsin were successfully isolated.
• The contrapsin cDNA contains an open reading frame of 1,254 bases, coding for 418 amino acids.
• The deduced amino acid sequence shows 64% homology to human alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, and distinct polyadenylation signals were identified.

Conclusions:

• The study provides the complete nucleotide and amino acid sequence of mouse contrapsin.
• Identified sequence homology suggests functional similarities between mouse contrapsin and human alpha-1-antichymotrypsin.
• The presence of multiple polyadenylation signals indicates potential for alternative mRNA processing.