Human cDNA encoding a novel TGF-beta superfamily protein highly expressed in placenta.
Recently, we developed a simple method for detecting a secretory signal sequence encoded by a cDNA fragment. In this study, we used this method to select cDNA clones encoding secretory proteins from a human full-length cDNA library. Full-sequencing analysis of the candidate clones revealed that one clone encoded a novel TGF-beta superfamily protein. The clone encodes a protein of 308 amino acids of which the C-terminal region shows a characteristic feature of TGF-beta superfamily proteins: seven conserved cysteine residues at the C-terminal preceded by a putative processing site composed of a basic amino acid repeat. The corresponding transcripts are highly expressed in the placenta, so the novel protein may play an important role in reproduction.
Yokoyama-Kobayashi
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Sagami Chemical Research Center, Sagamihara, Kanagawa.
Saeki
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M
Sekine
S
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Kato
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S
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D019556:COS Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D010802:Phylogeny; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000379:methods; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta