Identification and developmental expression of Src+ mRNAs in Xenopus laevis.
Alternative splicing of src mRNA has been demonstrated in several vertebrate species to yield a neuron-specific form of src protein termed pp60+. The function of pp60+ is unknown. The early developmental expression pattern of src+ RNA has not been previously examined. We have identified and characterized src+ transcripts corresponding to the two src genes in Xenopus laevis using a reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) method. Both Xenopus pp60+ proteins have a 5-amino-acid insert in contrast to the 6-amino-acid insert in fish, birds, and mammals. Src+ mRNA first appears in neural plate stage Xenopus embryos, after neural induction signaling events but prior to neural differentiation. Analysis of dissected neural plate stage embryos showed that src+ mRNAs are localized to the neural plate. These findings suggest that pp60+ may play a role in elaboration of neuron structure.
Collett
J W
JW
Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine 92717-1700.
Steele
R E
RE
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D005091:Exons; D016391:Genes, src; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016392:Proto-Oncogene Proteins pp60(c-src) / Q000032:analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016392:Proto-Oncogene Proteins pp60(c-src)