: We previously identified a novel rat gene, Bdm2 (brain developmentrelated molecule 2), that was expressed in the brain predominantly during embryogenesis. To characterize BDM2 protein, we prepared glutathione Stransferase-BDM2 fusion protein (GST-BDM2) and raised antibody against this recombinant protein. This antibody recognized two bands of 36 kDa and 38 kDa on Western blotting of brain proteins. A 36-kDa protein band was detected on embryonic day 16 and the intensity of this band gradually decreased during subsequent embryonic development. The 38-kDa protein band was detected after birth and the intensity of this band increased as the brain matured.In vitro transcription and translation of Bdm2 cDNA produced proteins of apparent molecular masses of 36, 38, and 49 kDa. Therefore, translation may be initiated at two different sites on Bdm2 mRNA in vivo depending on the developmental stage. When an expression construct of green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-Bdm2 was transfected into PC 12 cells, EGFP-BDM2-specific fluorescence was distributed in the cytoplasm, and was observed in the cell body and its processes after neuronal differentiation. Cell fractionation and immunoblot analysis of the embryonic brain also showed that BDM2 was distributed mainly in the cytoplasmic fraction. Recombinant BDM2 was phosphorylated by protein kinase C in vitro. These results suggest that the two Bdm2 gene products may be differentially expressed in the developing and mature brain.
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.