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A single cDNA encodes two isoforms of stathmin, a developmentally regulated neuron-enriched phosphoprotein
1Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U153-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique URA614 Paris, France.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|July 25, 1989
Summary
Stathmin, a key protein in cell signaling, was cloned from rat brain cells. A single gene codes for stathmin
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Stathmin is a neuron-enriched phosphoprotein involved in intracellular signal relay.
- It regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, and functions via second messenger pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clone the cDNA for stathmin from rat brain.
- To investigate the expression patterns of stathmin mRNA and protein during brain development.
- To determine if a single gene codes for stathmin isoforms.
Main Methods:
- Protein sequencing of purified rat brain stathmin.
- cDNA cloning using oligonucleotide probes from rat PC12 cell library.
- Northern blot analysis to study mRNA expression.
- In vitro translation of cRNA.
Main Results:
- Deduced amino acid sequence showed homology to intracellular matrix phosphoproteins.
- Stathmin mRNA expression parallels protein levels during brain ontogenesis, peaking neonatally.
- In vitro translation produced both alpha and beta stathmin isoforms, phosphorylated and unphosphorylated.
Conclusions:
- A single stathmin cDNA sequence codes for both alpha and beta isoforms.
- Isoform differences arise from co- or post-translational modifications.
- Stathmin plays a significant role in neuronal development and signaling.