Human synaptonemal complex protein 1 (SCP1): Isolation and characterization of the cDNA and chromosomal localization of the gene.

Synaptonemal complexes (SCs) are structures that are formed between homologous chromosomes (homologs) during meiotic prophase. They consist of two proteinaceous axes, one along each homolog, that are connected along their length by numerous transverse filaments (TFs). The cDNA encoding one major component of TFs of SCs of the rat, rnSCP1, has recently been isolated and characterized. In this paper we describe the isolation and characterization of the cDNA encoding the human protein homologous to rnSCP1, hsSCP1. hsSCP1 and rnSCP1 have 75% amino acid identity. The most prominent structural features and amino acid sequence motifs of rnSCP1 have been conserved in hsSCP1. Most probably, hsSCP1 is functionally homologous to rnSCP1. The hsSCP1 gene was assigned to human chromosome 1p12-p13 by fluorescence in situ hybridizatio

Celsr1, a neural-specific gene encoding an unusual seven-pass transmembrane receptor, maps to mouse chromosome 15 and human chromosome 22qter

We have identified Celsr1, a gene that encodes a developmentally regulated vertebrate seven-pass transmembrane protein. The extracellular domain of Celsr1 contains two regions each with homology to distinct classes of well-characterized motifs found in the extra-cellular domains of many cell surface molecules. The most N-terminal region contains a block of contiguous cadherin repeats, and C-terminal to this is a region containing seven epidermal growth factor-like repeats interrupted by two laminin A G-type repeats. Celsr1 is unique in that it contains this combination of repeats coupled to a seven-pass transmembrane domain. As part of the characterization of the Celsr1 gene, we have determined its chromosomal map location in both mouse and human. The European Collaborative Interspecific Backcross (EUCIB) and BXD recombinant inbred strains were used for mapping Celsr1 cDNA clones in the mouse, and fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to map human Celsr1 cosmid clones on metaphase chromosomes. We report that Celsr1 maps to proximal mouse Chromosome 15 and human chromosome 22qter, a region of conserved synteny. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis and in situ hybridization were used to determine the spatial restriction of Celsr1 transcripts in adult and embryonic mice. The results presented here extend our previous finding of expression of the Celsr1 receptor in the embryo and show that expression continues into adult life when expression in the brain is localized principally in the ependymal cell layer, choroid plexus, and the area postrem

Identification of an unbalanced cryptic translocation between the chromosomes 8 and 13 in two sisters with mild mental retardation accompanied by mild dysmorphic features.

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Two novel human members of an emerging mammalian gene family related to mono-adp-ribosylating bacterial toxins

Mono-ADP-ribosylation is one of the posttranslational protein modifications regulating cellular metabolism, e.g., nitrogen fixation, in prokaryotes. Several bacterial toxins mono-ADP-ribosylate and inactivate specific proteins in their animal hosts. Recently, two mammalian GPI-anchored cell surface enzymes with similar activities were cloned (designated ART1 and ART2). We have now identified six related expressed sequence tags (ESTs) in the public database and cloned the two novel human genes from which these are derived (designated ART3 and ART4). The deduced amino acid sequences of the predicted gene products show 28% sequence identity to one another and 32-41% identity vs the muscle and T cell enzymes. They contain signal peptide sequences characteristic of GPI anchorage. Southern Zoo blot analyses suggest the presence of related genes in other mammalian species. By PCR screening of somatic cell hybrids and by in situ hybridization, we have mapped the two genes to human chromosomes 4p14-p15.1 and 12q13.2-q13.3. Northern blot analyses show that these genes are specifically expressed in testis and spleen, respectively. Comparison of genomic and cDNA sequences reveals a conserved exon/intron structure, with an unusually large exon encoding the predicted mature membrane proteins. Secondary structure prediction analyses indicate conserved motifs and amino acid residues consistent with a common ancestry of this emerging mammalian enzyme family and bacterial mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferases. It is possible that the four human gene family members identified so far represent the "tip of an iceberg," i.e., a larger family of enzymes that influences the function of target proteins via mono-ADP-ribosylatio