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Cloning and characterization of cDNAs for a bovine (Bos taurus) Mx protein

N M Ellinwood1, J M McCue, P W Gordy

  • 1Department of Physiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA.

Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research : the Official Journal of the International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research
|October 22, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified two bovine Mx protein variants, Mxl and Mxl-a, which are induced by type I interferons (IFNs). These findings contribute to understanding antiviral responses in cattle.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mx proteins are GTPases induced by type I interferons (IFNs) in vertebrates.
  • Mx protein expression can inhibit viral replication.
  • Understanding Mx protein diversity is crucial for antiviral strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and characterize bovine Mx protein-encoding cDNAs.
  • To investigate the genetic basis and expression of bovine Mx proteins.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of complementary DNAs (cDNAs) encoding bovine Mx proteins from an endometrial phage library.
  • Sequence analysis of the open reading frames (ORFs) to predict protein structure and identify conserved motifs.
  • Analysis of coding and untranslated regions to determine allelic variations.
  • Induction of Mx mRNA expression in cultured bovine cells using IFN treatment.

Main Results:

  • Two bovine Mx protein cDNAs, Mxl (654 residues) and Mxl-a (648 residues), were isolated.
  • Both predicted proteins contain conserved GTPase domains, dynamin signature, and leucine zipper motifs.
  • Bovine Mx protein sequences show high identity to ovine Mx (93%) and similarity to human MxA (73%) and mouse Mx1 (63%).
  • The two clones represent different alleles of a single bovine Mx gene, with heterozygous and homozygous cattle identified.
  • Mx mRNA expression was rapidly induced in cultured bovine cells upon IFN treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Bovine Mx proteins share conserved structural features with other mammalian Mx proteins.
  • The identified bovine Mx proteins are encoded by allelic variants of one gene.
  • Interferon treatment effectively induces Mx gene expression in bovine cells, suggesting a role in antiviral defense.

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