Molecular cloning of a novel NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily gene, ehm2, that is expressed in high-metastatic K1735 murine melanoma cells.
We have cloned a novel gene, Ehm2, that is expressed in high-metastatic but not in low-metastatic K-1735 murine melanoma cells. The Ehm2 gene encodes a protein of 527 amino acid residues, showing up to 41% amino acid identity with the FERM domain of NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily proteins, which have the function of connecting cell surface transmembrane proteins to cytoskeletal molecules. The Ehm2 gene was mapped to chromosome 4 and was expressed in the liver, lung, kidney, and testis and in 7- to 17-day embryos. The highest level of homology was observed with NBL4, which is a new subfamily protein of the NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily. A human homologue of the mouse Ehm2 gene, showing significant homology (83% identity), was identified in the genomic DNA and EST databases. Furthermore, seven rat EST clones and one pig EST clone in the GenBank EST database were identified as having 83-92% sequence homology with the cDNA sequence of the mouse Ehm2 gene. Thus, Ehm2 is a highly conserved gene that encodes a novel member of the NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily proteins.
Shimizu
K
K
Biology Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 1-1, Tsukiji 5-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
Nagamachi
Y
Y
Tani
M
M
Kimura
K
K
Shiroishi
T
T
Wakana
S
S
Yokota
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D015723:Gene Library; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000235:genetics; D025581:Neurofibromin 2; D009479:Neuropeptides; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D025581:Neurofibromin 2; D009479:Neuropeptides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; C112128:epb41l4a protein, zebrafish; C028841:erythrocyte membrane band 4.1 protein; C120557:erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1-like 1