title: Genetic characterization of the mRNAs encoding alpha-bungarotoxin: isoforms and RNA editing in Bungarus multicinctus gland cells.
abstract: The mRNA encoding alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-Butx) was prepared from the venom glands of Bungarus multicinctus by Cap-finder cDNA synthesis. The sequences of the 3'- and 5'-flanking regions including a signal peptide of alpha-Butx were almost identical with those of Elapidae and Hydrophiidae toxins, suggesting that they may have the same origin. Sixteen polymorphic mRNA sequences of alpha-Butx were detected from B.multicinctus gland cells. Analysis of the genomic DNA of alpha-Butx indicated that the polymorphic mRNA originated from one DNA sequence. Most of the mutations in alpha-Butx mRNA were silent and the hot-spot variations occurred at 78, 107, 129, 198 and 201 nt in alpha-Butx mRNA. Ten distinct protein sequences of alpha-Butx could be deduced from the polymorphic mRNA and one of the isoforms has already been isolated. Since alpha-Butx DNA is a single copy in the genome, the RNA polymorphism might result from post-transcriptional editing. These results indicate that the authentic alpha-Butx is in fact derived from edited mRNAs. RNA editing may contribute a common mechanism toward the diversity of alpha-neurotoxins in snake glands.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Kaohsiung Medical College, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Liau
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kuo
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000235:genetics*; D017838:Bungarus / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D002038:Bungarotoxins; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger