Identification, characterization and cDNA cloning of two novel proteins secreted into the external space of the regenerating leg of Periplaneta americana.
We have isolated two proteins (Rap 60 and Rap 40) that were expressed specifically in regenerating legs of the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana). These proteins appear to be derived from a precursor protein with 443 amino acid residues termed regeneration-associated protein (RAP). Rap 60 and Rap 40 corresponded to Glu 223 to Ser 443 and Glu 223 to Glu 366 of RAP, respectively. Hence, Rap 40 is the N-terminal part of Rap 60. These proteins contained 13 repeats of a novel motif, [Glu/Asp-Glu/Asp-Val/Ala-Lys]. The gene encoding RAP was shown to be expressed during embryogenesis and by newly-formed epidermal cells of regenerating legs. Rap 60 and Rap 40 were secreted into the external space of regenerating leg saccules, where they accumulated, suggesting that they are components of extracellular matrix of regenerating leg saccules.
Arai
T
T
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Kubo
T
T
Natori
S
S
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D005121:Extremities; D015870:Gene Expression; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010526:Periplaneta / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D019476:Insect Proteins; C409508:RAP 40 protein, insect; C409523:RAP 60 protein, insect; D012333:RNA, Messenger