ADP ribosyl cyclase activity of a novel bone marrow stromal cell surface molecule, BST-1

Human BST-1, a bone marrow stromal cell surface molecule, is a GPI-anchored protein that facilitates the growth of pre-B cells. The deduced amino acid sequences of human and mouse BST-1 show around 30% homology with those of CD38 and Aplysia ADP ribosyl cyclase. Therefore, like CD38, BST-1 might possess ADP ribosyl cyclase activity. Here, we report the establishment of a stable transformant CHO cell line, which secretes truncated human soluble BST-1, and show that purified soluble BST-1 displays both ADP ribosyl cyclase and cADPR hydrolase activities.