scholarly journals Molecular characterisation and hormone-dependent expression of the porcine whey acidic protein gene

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
KJ Simpson ◽  
P Bird ◽  
D Shaw ◽  
K Nicholas
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Sequence ◽  
Amino Acid Level ◽  
Whey Acidic Protein ◽  
Acidic Protein ◽  
Northern Analysis ◽  
Major Protein ◽  
Sds Page

A 17.5 kDa protein was isolated from porcine whey by reverse phase HPLC and identified as a putative whey acidic protein (WAP) homologue by sequencing 35 and 40 amino acid residues of the amino- and carboxy-terminus respectively. Degenerate oligonucleotides to both of these amino acid sequences were designed and used in reverse transcriptase PCR with RNA from lactating porcine mammary gland as a template. A 162 bp PCR fragment was detected and sequenced. Compilation of the deduced and determined amino acid sequence revealed a protein of 111 amino acids, which had approximately 75, 50, 40 and 35% similarity at amino acid level to camel, rabbit, rat and mouse WAP respectively. It also included the four-disulphide core characteristic of all WAP proteins and most Kunitz-type protease inhibitors. This provides the first unequivocal evidence for WAP secretion in the pig. SDS PAGE analysis of the whey fraction showed that WAP is secreted as a major protein in sow's milk from farrowing to weaning. The molecular mass of WAP in SDS PAGE was significantly greater than the 11.7 kDa determined from amino acid sequence, indicating that porcine WAP is possibly glycosylated. Northern analysis detected a single mRNA transcript of approximately 600 bp in porcine RNA from the mammary gland of lactating sows. To examine the hormone-regulated expression of the WAP gene the mammary glands of sows at day 90 of pregnancy were biopsied and explants cultured for 3 days in the presence of various combinations of porcine insulin (I), cortisol (F) and porcine prolactin (P). Northern analysis of RNA extracted from the tissue indicated that WAP gene expression was barely detectable in the mammary gland prior to culture and there was no increment in explants cultured in the presence of I and F. However, a significant increase in the accumulation of WAP mRNA was observed in explants cultured in I, F and P. A similar result was observed for beta-casein and alpha-lactalbumin gene expression.

Purification and characterization of three proteins isolated from the proteose peptone fraction of bovine milk

1993 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esben S. Sørensen ◽  
Torben E. Petersen
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Sequence ◽  
Bovine Milk ◽  
Gel Chromatography ◽  
Major Protein ◽  
Terminal Amino Acid ◽  
Proteose Peptone ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
Terminal Amino ◽  
Terminal Amino Acid Sequence

SummaryThree major proteins from the proteose peptone of bovine milk were purified by Sephadex G-75 gel chromatography, Q-Sepharose ion-exchange and additional Sephadex G-75 gel chromatography in the presence of urea. From their mobility in a gradient SDS-PAGE, the proteins were found to have molecular masses of 17, 28 and 60 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 17 kDa protein was found to be homologous with a camel whey protein. This protein has not previously been described in bovine milk. From the SDS-PAGE results, the 28 kDa protein was judged to be the major protein of proteose peptone, contributing ~ 25% of the total. The N-terminal amino acid sequence showed no homology to any known protein sequence, but the amino acid composition indicated that the 28 kDa protein is identical with the PP3 component from the proteose peptone fraction of bovine milk, or part of it. The 60 kDa protein was found to be bovine osteopontin, a very highly phosphorylated protein with an Arg-Gly-Asp sequence which mediates cell attachment.

Gene expression of leptin, leptin receptor, prolactin receptor and whey acidic protein in mammary glands of late-pregnant gilts from two breeds

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. F. Palin ◽  
D. Beaudry ◽  
C. Farmer
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Leptin Receptor ◽  
Prolactin Receptor ◽  
Mammary Glands ◽  
Whey Acidic Protein ◽  
Acidic Protein ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Parenchymal Tissue ◽  
Receptor Mrna

In order to identify genes which are essential for pig mammary gland development, mRNA levels of prolactin receptor (PRL-R), leptin, leptin receptor and whey acidic protein (WAP) were measured in parenchymal tissue of 110-d-pregnant gilts. Thirteen Upton-Meishan (UM) and 14 Large White (LW) pregnant gilts and 5 non-pregnant control gilts (2 LW and 3UM) were used. PRL-R and WAP mRNA levels were higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant gilts (P < 0.05). Leptin mRNA levels were higher in UM than in LW gilts (P < 0.05), but this breed effect was not seen when leptin mRNA levels were corrected for percent fat in parenchyma. Correlations were found between concentrations of IGF-I in plasma and PRL-R (P < 0.01) and WAP (P < 0.05) mRNA levels in UM gilts. Serum prolactin (PRL) was correlated with leptin mRNA levels in the overall (P < 0.05) and LW (P < 0.05) populations of gilts, while estradiol was associated with leptin receptor mRNA in UM gilts (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of all studied genes were positively correlated with mammary parenchymal and extra parenchymal weights in UM gilts, whereas these variables were only correlated with PRL-R and WAP gene expression in LW gilts. The presence of leptin and leptin receptor mRNA in parenchymal tissue suggests a paracrine role for leptin in mammary tissue of late-pregnant gilts. These results also suggest that the PRL signalling pathway is fully active at the transcriptional level in the mammary gland of gilts at 110 d of pregnancy. Key words: Genetics, pig, mammary glands, Meishan, mRNA

Isolation and Structural Charaderization of a Potent Inhibitor of Coagulation Factor Xa from the Leech Haementeria ghilianii

1989 ◽  
Vol 61 (03) ◽  
pp. 437-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindra Condra ◽  
Elka Nutt ◽  
Christopher J Petroski ◽  
Ellen Simpson ◽  
P A Friedman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Salivary Gland ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Sequence ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Potent Inhibitor ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Coagulation Factor ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
Bovine Factor

SummaryThe present work reports the discovery and charactenzation of an anticoagulant protein in the salivary gland of the giant bloodsucking leech, H. ghilianii, which is a specific and potent inhibitor of coagulation factor Xa. The inhibitor, purified to homogeneity, displayed subnanomolar inhibition of bovine factor Xa and had a molecular weight of approximately 15,000 as deduced by denaturing SDS-PAGE. The amino acid sequence of the first 43 residues of the H. ghilianii derived inhibitor displayed a striking homology to antistasin, the recently described subnanomolar inhibitor of factor Xa isolated from the Mexican leech, H. officinalis. Antisera prepared to antistasin cross-reacted with the H. ghilianii protein in Western Blot analysis. These data indicate that the giant Amazonian leech, H. ghilianii, and the smaller Mexican leech, H. officinalrs, have similar proteins which disrupt the normal hemostatic clotting mechanisms in their mammalian host’s blood.

Cloning of rabbit prolactin cDNA and prolactin gene expression in the rabbit mammary gland

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Gabou ◽  
M Boisnard ◽  
I Gourdou ◽  
H Jammes ◽  
J-P Dulor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Untranslated Regions ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Prolactin Gene ◽  
New Zealand White Rabbits ◽  
Rna Probe

ABSTRACT cDNA clones coding for rabbit prolactin were isolated from a pituitary library using a rat prolactin RNA probe. One cDNA contained 873 bases including the entire coding sequence of rabbit prolactin, its signal peptide and the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions of 44 and 145 nucleotides respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence of the cloned prolactin cDNA presented a 93–78% identity with mink, porcine and human prolactins. The prolactin gene transcription was investigated by RT-PCR analysis in several organs of midlactating New Zealand White rabbits. The ectopic transcription of the prolactin gene was examined in more detail in the mammary gland. A strong PCR signal was detected in the mammary gland of virgin does and was also observed during pregnancy and at the beginning of lactation. This PCR signal was very weak in mid-lactating and absent in post-weaning mammary gland.

The effect of low-to-moderate-dose ethanol consumption on rat mammary gland structure and function and early postnatal growth of offspring

2013 ◽  
Vol 304 (10) ◽  
pp. R791-R798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan E. Probyn ◽  
Emma-Kate Lock ◽  
Stephen T. Anderson ◽  
Sarah Walton ◽  
John F. Bertram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Milk Proteins ◽  
Postnatal Growth ◽  
Whey Acidic Protein ◽  
Acidic Protein ◽  
Postnatal Life ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Moderate Dose ◽  
Protein Levels

High levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to growth deficits in early postnatal life. However, the effects of low-to-moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy are less clearly defined. The aim of this study was to determine whether low-to-moderate ethanol (EtOH) consumption throughout pregnancy in the rat alters maternal mammary gland morphology and milk protein levels, thereby affecting lactation and the growth of pups after birth. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed an ad libitum liquid diet ± 6% vol/vol EtOH throughout pregnancy. Mammary glands from dams were collected at embryonic day (E) 20 or postnatal day (PN) 1, and expression of milk proteins (α-lactalbumin, β-casein, and whey acidic protein) was examined. In addition, relative amounts of alveoli, lactiferous ducts, adipose tissue, and blood vessels were determined at PN1. A subset of rats gave birth, and offspring growth and milk intake were recorded. Mammary gland weight was unaltered by EtOH, and stereological analysis showed no differences in gland structure compared with control. Although there were no significant changes in mammary gland gene expression at the RNA level, protein levels of α-lactalbumin were increased and whey acidic protein were decreased by EtOH. Offspring of EtOH-fed dams consumed less milk than controls in the lactational period; however, this did not alter their early postnatal growth. Overall, it appears that low-to-moderate-dose prenatal EtOH exposure does not significantly alter mammary gland development but may alter the composition of the various proteins found within the milk in a manner that maintains overall pup growth.

scholarly journals Chitin-binding proteins in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber. Characterization, immunolocalization and effects of wounding

1992 ◽  
Vol 283 (3) ◽  
pp. 813-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
D J Millar ◽  
A K Allen ◽  
C G Smith ◽  
C Sidebottom ◽  
A R Slabas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solanum Tuberosum ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Sequence ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Solanum Tuberosum L ◽  
Major Protein ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Terminal Amino Acid ◽  
Terminal Amino ◽  
Terminal Amino Acid Sequence

Tubers of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) contain a number of chitin-binding proteins which have possible functions in defence against pathogens. A major protein of the tuber is the chitin-binding lectin which has been further characterized with respect to its antigenicity and N-terminal amino acid sequence. By using an antiserum monospecific for tuber lectin in unwounded potato the protein was found in the cytoplasm and vacuole, unusually for a hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein, but consistent with its soluble nature in subcellular extracts. Little increased synthesis of the lectin precursor or the post-translationally modified form could be demonstrated in excised potato tuber discs. However, after wounding there is increased synthesis of another hydroxyproline-containing glycoprotein of Mr 57,000, which binds to chitin and shares common epitopes with the lectin. In comparison with the tuber lectin, this novel glycoprotein contains less hydroxyproline, but from its overall composition it is clearly not an underhydroxylated form of the tuber lectin. It differed in its N-terminal amino acid sequence and was much less glycosylated, although arabinose was still present. Synthesis of the Mr-57,000 polypeptide began after the initial burst of protein synthesis and increased, reaching a peak at 24 h after wounding. The protein was produced with its enzymes of post-translational modification, prolyl hydroxylase and arabinosyltransferase, concomitantly with the marker enzymes for wounding, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and membrane-bound phenol oxidase and peroxidase.

scholarly journals Cloning and Characterization of the Vitamin D Receptor from Xenopus laevis*

Endocrinology ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 138 (6) ◽  
pp. 2347-2353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Chun Li ◽  
Clemens Bergwitz ◽  
Harald Jüppner ◽  
Marie B. Demay
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Vitamin D Receptor ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Amino Acid Level ◽  
Ion Homeostasis ◽  
Northern Analysis ◽  
Lower Vertebrate

Abstract The Vitamin D receptor (VDR), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, mediates the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on mineral ion homeostasis. Although the mammalian and avian VDRs have been extensively studied, little is known about the VDR in lower vertebrate species. To address this, we have isolated the Xenopus laevis VDR (xVDR) complementary DNA. Overall, the xVDR shares 79%, 73%, 73%, and 75% identity at the amino acid level with the chicken, mouse, rat, and human VDRs, respectively. The amino acid residues and subdomains important for DNA binding, hormone binding, dimerization, and transactivation are mostly conserved among all VDR species. The xVDR polypeptide can heterodimerize with the mouse retinoid X receptor α, bind to the rat osteocalcin vitamin D response element (VDRE), and induce vitamin D-dependent transactivation in transfected mammalian cells. Northern analysis reveals two xVDR messenger RNA species of 2.2 kb and 1.8 kb in stage 60 Xenopus tissues. In the adult, xVDR expression is detected in many tissues including kidney, intestine, skin, and bone. During Xenopus development, xVDR messenger RNA first appears at developmental stage 13 (preneurulation), increasing to maximum at stages 57–61 (metamorphosis). Our data demonstrate that, in Xenopus, VDR expression is developmentally regulated and that the vitamin D endocrine system is highly conserved during evolution.

A distal region, hypersensitive to DNase I, plays a key role in regulating rabbit whey acidic protein gene expression

2001 ◽  
Vol 359 (3) ◽  
pp. 557-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin MILLOT ◽  
Marie-Louise FONTAINE ◽  
Dominique THEPOT ◽  
Eve DEVINOY
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Distal Region ◽  
Dnase I ◽  
Whey Acidic Protein ◽  
Acidic Protein ◽  
Upstream Region ◽  
Lactating Mammary Gland

The aim of the present study was to identify the functional domains of the upstream region of the rabbit whey acidic protein (WAP) gene, which has been used with considerable efficacy to target the expression of several foreign genes to the mammary gland. We have shown that this region exhibits three sites hypersensitive to DNase I digestion in the lactating mammary gland, and that all three sites harbour elements which can bind to Stat5 in vitro in bandshift assays. However, not all hypersensitive regions are detected at all stages from pregnancy to weaning, and the level of activated Stat5 detected in the rabbit mammary gland is low except during lactation. We have studied the role of the distal site, which is only detected during lactation, in further detail. It is located within a 849bp region that is required to induce a strong expression of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene in transfected mammary cells. Taken together, these results suggest that this region, centred around a Stat5-binding site and surrounded by a variable chromatin structure during the pregnancy–lactation cycle, may play a key role in regulating the expression of this gene in vivo. Furthermore, this distal region exhibits sequence similarity with a region located around 3kb upstream of the mouse WAP gene. The existence of such a distal region in the mouse WAP gene may explain the differences in expression between 4.1 and 2.1kb mouse WAP constructs.

Molecular Characterization of Genes Coding for Wild-Type and Sulfonylurea-Resistant Acetolactate Synthase in the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus PC C7942

1990 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 538-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Friedberg ◽  
J. Seijffers
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Sequence ◽  
Molecular Characterization ◽  
Amino Acid Level ◽  
Acetolactate Synthase ◽  
Mutant Gene ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
E Coli

We present here the isolation and molecular characterization of acetolactate synthase (ALS) genes from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC7942 which specify a sulfonylurea-sensitive enzyme and from the sulfonylurea-resistant mutant SM3/20, which specify resistance to sulfonylurea herbicides. The ALS gene was cloned and mapped by complementation of an Escherichia coli ilv auxotroph that requires branched-chain amino acids for growth and lacks ALS activity. The cyanobacterial gene is efficiently expressed in this heterologous host. The ALS gene codes for 612 amino acids and shows high sequence homology (46%) at the amino acid level with ALS III of E. coli and with the tobacco ALS. The resistant phenotype is a consequence of proline to serine substitution in residue 115 of the deduced amino acid sequence. Functional expression of the mutant gene in wild-type Synechococcus and in E. coli confirmed that this amino-acid substitution is responsible for the resistance. Yet the deduced amino-acid sequence as compared with othjer ALS proteins supports the notion that the amino-acid context of the substitution is important for the resistance.

Biochemical and genetic characterisation of a D glutenin subunit encoded at the Glu-B3 locus

Genome ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
M T Nieto-Taladriz ◽  
M Rodríguez-Quijano ◽  
J M Carrillo
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Sequence ◽  
Wheat Gluten ◽  
Gene Clusters ◽  
Glutenin Subunits ◽  
Key Words Wheat ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
A Subunit ◽  
Omega Gliadins ◽  
Prolamin Loci

The SDS-PAGE pattern of reduced and alkylated glutenins from the bread wheat cultivar Prinqual presents a subunit (named d4) in the mobility zone of the omega -gliadins that only appears under reduced conditions. This subunit was isolated and characterised at the biochemical and genetic levels. Subunit d4 was shown to form disulphide aggregates with glutenins and had an acidic pI. These characteristics correspond to those of the D glutenin subunits. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of subunit d4 was coincident with the SRL sequence type characteristic of omega -gliadins encoded by genes on the 1B chromosome, and confirms the similarity between D glutenin subunits and omega -gliadins. The genetic study of subunit d4 was performed in the F2 progeny from the 'Prinqual' x 'Ablaca' cross, based on four prolamin loci: Glu-B1, Glu-B3, Gli-B1, and Gli-B5. The recombinants found between Glu-B3 and Gli-B1 demonstrated that subunit d4 was encoded at the Glu-B3 locus, and reinforces the hypothesis of the duplication of prolamin gene clusters in wheat. A preliminary study of the effect of subunit d4 on gluten strength showed that lines with the Glu-B3 allele from 'Prinqual', which includes subunit d4, had a significantly higher sedimentation volume than those with the allele from 'Ablaca'.Key words: wheat gluten proteins, D glutenin subunits, amino acid sequence, linkage mapping, complex loci duplication.

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