Structure and expression of the murine retinoblastoma gene and characterization of its encoded protein

We have isolated a cDNA clone of the murine homologue of the human retinoblastoma (Rb) susceptibility gene. DNA sequence analysis reveals a high degree of conservation with the human Rb sequence, both in the coding and in the noncoding regions. The predicted amino acid sequence of the mouse Rb protein shows 91% identity to that of the human protein. Both proteins were found to contain a peptide sequence reminiscent of a leucine-repeat motif ("leucine-zipper") that is also found in the myc, fos, and jun oncogenes. Synthetic peptide antiserum directed against a portion of the mouse Rb protein detects three proteins of 104-110 kDa in cells that were transiently transfected with a mouse Rb gene expression construct. In the mouse embryo the expression of Rb mRNA was ubiquitous, with maximal expression being observed around 13 days of gestation. In the embryo, the highest level of expression was observed in liver and brain. In contrast, the Rb gene was found to be expressed at a very low level in adult mouse liver with high levels being found in lung, thymus, and spleen. A shorter Rb transcript was detected in mouse testes.