title: Identification in rodents and other species of an mRNA homologous to the human beta-amyloid precursor.
abstract: The isolation and sequencing of the core peptide (beta-amyloid) found in the plaques of patients with Alzheimer's disease has allowed the identification of a cDNA for the precursor protein. Using a human cDNA clone for this beta-amyloid material, we have identified an homologous mRNA (3.8 kb) in brain tissue obtained from 8 additional species. We have also determined its distribution in 7 brain regions and 12 organs obtained from rodents. A prominent, second mRNA species (2.2 kb) has been identified in rat non-neuronal tissues. The beta-amyloid gene is amply expressed in the brain of all vertebrates tested and in most rodent organs, indicating that it encodes a highly conserved and ubiquitous protein.
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D000682:Amyloid / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002417:Cattle; D002645:Chickens; D006224:Cricetinae; D004285:Dogs; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D051379:Mice; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000682:Amyloid; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger