Strong conservation of the expression of cystatin C gene in choroid plexus.
The expression of the cystatin C gene was studied by Northern analysis of RNA isolated from the choroid plexus, other brain tissues, and liver from 11 mammalian and 4 avian species. The probe used for hybridization was cystatin C cDNA isolated previously from a rat choroid plexus cDNA library. Strong conservation of the expression of the cystatin C gene in choroid plexus was suggested by the observation of substantial levels of cystatin C mRNA in choroid plexus RNA from all mammalian and avian species studied. In contrast, levels of cystatin C mRNA in total liver RNA varied widely for mammalian as well as for avian species. It was concluded that the synthesis of cystatin C in choroid plexus has probably been conserved since the stage of the stem reptiles, the common ancestors of mammals and birds. The cystatin C gene was also found to be expressed early in ontogeny, as indicated by the observation of similar cystatin C mRNA levels in choroid plexus RNA from newly hatched and adult chickens.
Tu
G F
GF
Russell Grimwade School of Biochemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Aldred
A R
AR
Southwell
B R
BR
Schreiber
G
G
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001717:Birds; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D002642:Chick Embryo / Q000378:metabolism; D002831:Choroid Plexus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D055316:Cystatin C; D015891:Cystatins / Q000235:genetics*; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D015870:Gene Expression; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008322:Mammals; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
C525032:Cst3 protein, rat; D055316:Cystatin C; D015891:Cystatins; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger