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Updated: Sep 22, 2026

Cell Type-specific Gene Expression Profiling in the Mouse Liver
10:06

Cell Type-specific Gene Expression Profiling in the Mouse Liver

Published on: September 17, 2019

A variant mRNA species encoding a truncated form of Fas antigen in the rat liver

K Kimura1, T Wakatsuki, M Yamamoto

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|January 28, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Researchers discovered a variant Fas antigen cDNA in rat liver, potentially arising from alternative splicing. This variant mRNA is less common and its function remains undetermined.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The Fas antigen (also known as Fas receptor or CD95) is a crucial cell surface receptor involved in regulating apoptosis.
  • Understanding variations in Fas antigen expression is important for comprehending immune responses and cellular homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize a novel variant form of the Fas antigen cDNA.
  • To investigate the expression levels and potential origin of this variant mRNA species in rat liver.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and sequencing of complementary DNA (cDNA) from rat liver.
  • Analysis of the cDNA sequence for insertions and potential protein coding regions.
  • Comparison of variant mRNA expression levels with the ordinary mRNA species in liver tissue.

Main Results:

  • A variant Fas antigen cDNA was successfully isolated from rat liver.
  • The variant cDNA contains a 25-nucleotide insertion, coding for a 65-amino acid peptide (signal peptide and N-terminal extracytoplasmic domain).
  • Expression of the variant mRNA is significantly less abundant in the liver compared to the standard Fas antigen mRNA.

Conclusions:

  • A novel variant Fas antigen mRNA species exists in rat liver.
  • This variant is likely generated through an alternative splicing mechanism.
  • The specific biological function of this variant Fas antigen remains to be elucidated.

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