title: A novel gene encoding a smooth muscle protein is overexpressed in senescent human fibroblasts.
abstract: In order to identify genes that may be causally involved in replicative senescence, we have isolated several gene sequences that are overexpressed in senescent human fibroblasts by differential screening of a cDNA library derived from mRNA of a subject with Werner syndrome of premature aging (Murano, S., et al., Molec. Cell. Biol., 3905-3914, 1991). Herein, we describe the sequence and expression of one of these genes, WS3-10, which encodes a novel human cytoplasmic protein of 22.5 kilodaltons. The steady-state mRNA levels of WS3-10 mRNA were higher in WS and late-passage normal cells compared to early-passage normal cells following serum depletion and subsequent repletion. Computer analysis showed similarities between WS3-10 and certain proteins in other species, indicating that WS3-10 represents the human homolog of a smooth muscle protein involved in calcium interactions that may contribute to replicative senescence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thweatt
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Lumpkin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goldstein
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002460:Cell Line; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000235:genetics; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000737:chemistry*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C058992:Tagln protein, mouse; C051615:transgelin; D004247:DNA