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Bovine and human cDNA sequences encoding a putative benzodiazepine receptor ligand
DNA (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.)
|February 1, 1987
Summary
Researchers isolated endozepine cDNAs from bovine and human libraries, revealing high conservation and expression in peripheral tissues, suggesting a role beyond the brain for this benzodiazepine receptor ligand.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Endozepine is a putative ligand for the benzodiazepine receptor.
- Benzodiazepine receptors have been reported in peripheral tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize endozepine cDNAs from bovine and human sources.
- To investigate the expression patterns of endozepine mRNA.
- To analyze the protein sequence and potential precursor forms.
Main Methods:
- Construction of cDNA libraries using a novel oligonucleotide adapter.
- Isolation of cDNA clones encoding endozepine.
- Amino acid sequence analysis of cDNA clones.
- Northern blot analysis to determine mRNA expression.
Main Results:
- Identical amino acid sequences to purified proteins and homology to rat diazepam-binding inhibitor.
- High nucleotide sequence conservation (93%) between bovine and human endozepine.
- Endozepine is not derived from a precursor with a signal peptide.
- Endozepine mRNA is expressed in both brain and peripheral tissues.
- Isolation of a related bovine cDNA encoding a larger homologous protein.
Conclusions:
- Endozepine is a highly conserved protein expressed in multiple tissues.
- The expression in peripheral tissues aligns with reports of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors.
- A related protein, potentially synthesized from a precursor, was also identified.
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