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Epidermal surface antigen (MS17S1) is highly conserved between mouse and human
1Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical School, Houston 77030, USA.
Genomics
|May 20, 1995
Summary
A novel epidermal surface antigen (ESA) was identified in mice and humans. This antigen is crucial for keratinocyte function and regulation, and its gene is not associated with the nude locus.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- A mouse monoclonal antibody, ECS-1, identifies a 35-kDa epidermal surface antigen (ESA) on human keratinocytes.
- This antibody induces keratinocyte dissociation in vitro and stains embryonic and fetal skin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the mouse epidermal surface antigen (ESA) and its gene.
- To investigate the relationship between ESA and the nude locus.
Main Methods:
- Monoclonal antibody production and characterization.
- cDNA sequencing and gene mapping.
- Analysis of mRNA transcripts in nude and control mice.
Main Results:
- Mouse ESA cDNA encodes a protein 99.2% identical to human ESA.
- The mouse ESA gene (M17S1) maps to chromosome 11, syntenic to human chromosome 17.
- No abnormalities in ESA gene or protein were found in nude mice, despite the nude locus mapping to the same chromosome region.
- A conserved second ESA mRNA transcript was detected in both nude and control mice.
Conclusions:
- ESA protein function and regulation are important.
- The ESA gene (M17S1) is not the nude locus gene.
- Conserved sequences and RNA folding suggest functional importance of ESA in both mouse and human.