title: A new member of the mouse prolactin (PRL)-like protein-C subfamily, PRL-like protein-C alpha: structure and expression.
abstract: In this study, we establish the presence of a unique member of the PRL-like protein-C (PLP-C) subfamily in the mouse, PLP-C alpha, characterize its complementary DNA and gene, and map its chromosomal location and pattern of expression during pregnancy. Mouse PLP-C alpha encodes for a 239 amino acid protein and possesses from 69-71% identity with rat PLP-C, PLP-Cv, PLP-D, and PLP-H. Another feature characteristic of PLP-C subfamily members that is also present in mouse PLP-C alpha is a 6-exon/5-intron gene structure including an aromatic domain encoded by exon 3. Southern analysis with mouse and rat PLP-C subfamily probes suggested the existence of a single mouse PLP-C alpha gene. Mouse PLP-C alpha maps to chromosome 13 along with other members of the mouse PRL family. Expression of mouse PLP-C alpha increases dramatically as gestation advances and is restricted to spongiotrophoblast and trophoblast giant cells of the junctional zone. In summary, we have established the presence of a new PLP-C subfamily member in the mouse and demonstrated its similarity in structure and expression to rat PLP-C subfamily members. This level of conservation between species expands the biological significance of the PLP-C subfamily and provides additional opportunities for genetically evaluating its function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Orwig
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Preuett
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Soares
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007536:Isomerism; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000502:physiology*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; C502145:Prl8a3 protein, rat; C502144:Prlpc1 protein, mouse; C502146:Prlpc2 protein, mouse; C502147:Prlpc3 protein, mouse; D012333:RNA, Messenger