A growth-related mRNA in cultured mouse cells encodes a placental calcium binding protein.
We have characterized an mRNA that increases in abundance after serum stimulation of quiescent mouse fibroblasts. This mRNA, designated 18A2, encodes a predicted polypeptide of 101 amino acids with homology to known calcium binding proteins. A variety of mouse tissues express the 18A2 mRNA, with the highest levels detected in the non-pregnant uterus and in the placenta. The concentration of 18A2 mRNA in total placental RNA decreases from day 8 to day 10 of pregnancy, and is below detection throughout the latter half of gestation. In serum-stimulated fibroblasts, the increase in 18A2 mRNA is dependent on protein synthesis. The 18A2 mRNA is similar in size, serum-inducibility, and sequence to the 2A9 mRNA (1), but these mRNAs are derived from distinct genes. This suggests that the mouse genome harbors a family of serum-inducible genes encoding proteins predicted to bind calcium.
D000818:Animals; D001790:Blood Physiological Phenomena; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002417:Cattle; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D003470:Culture Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000032:analysis*; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D010920:Placenta / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013045:Species Specificity
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D003470:Culture Media; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger