Subtractive cloning procedures led to the identification of a variety of transcripts expressed in mammalian brain. However, little is known about the encoded proteins and the regulation of gene expression. Here, we describe the isolation and characterisation of a single-copy gene (83.5) of 21.7 kb which is specifically expressed in porcine brain. In situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry experiments showed a distinct pattern of gene expression in neuronal cell types in different parts of the brain. The gene contains two mini exons, confirming neural-specific expression. cDNA cloning experiments revealed two species of mRNA differing in their 5′-regions. These transcripts are generated by two distinct transcription start sites that are under the control of different potential promoter regions as shown by primerextension experiments. The amino acid sequences of the deduced proteins predict that one mRNA species encodes a novel type-I transmembrane protein, whereas the other transcript encodes only a part of its cytoplasmic domain. In Western-blot experiments, we detected two proteins of the predicted size and cellular localisation in porcine brain. The precise function of these proteins remains to be determined. However, our findings suggest that they may be generated by alternative promoter usage, leading to the expression of a membrane protein and its truncated cytoplasmic isoform.
Das Gehirn ist wieder in den Mittelpunkt des allgemeinen und des wissenschaftlichen Interesses gerückt. Besonders die nichtinvasiven, bildgebenden Verfahren und die Neurogenetik werden unser Wissen über Gehirnfunktionen weiterbringen. Diese Erkenntnisse sind primär wichtig für die kausale Behandlung von Alzheimer, Parkinson und Schlaganfall. Bisher ist die energetische Versorgung des Gehirns besonders mit Glucose und Sauerstoff nicht genügend beachtet worden. Sauerstoff bringt die maximale Effizienz, seine Radikale aber verursachen Funktionsdefizite, mentale Störungen und Tod. Eine hirngängige Ernährung ist einer der Wege, um solche negativen Effekte zu verzögern oder gar zu vermeiden.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.