Cloning of hibernation-related genes of bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) by cDNA subtraction.
Seven genes specifically expressed during hibernation in the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) were cloned from a subtracted cDNA library constructed from livers of winter bullfrogs. Those genes were fibrinogen alpha-subunit, fibrinogen gamma-subunit, complement component C3, alpha-1-microglobulin/bikunin precursor (AMBP), transferrin, apoferritin middle subunit and one novel gene. Northern hybridization has indicated that these seven genes were specifically induced or enhanced in winter. Above all, expression of the novel gene was specifically induced in winter in liver, though the expression of that was neither induced in bullfrog nor Xenopus laevis by cold treatment. The novel gene, which was designated as rc-hirp (Rana catesbeiana hibernation-related protein), encoded 420 base pairs length and a putative protein of 139 amino acid residues. Annual analyses of the expression of these genes have suggested that the seven winter-specific genes are playing an important role in hibernation processes.
Wu
Qiong
Q
Department of Cell Science, Faculty of Graduated School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Ikarashi, Niigata 950-2181, Japan.
Sugimoto
Kenkichi
K
Moriyama
Keiko
K
Adachi
Yasuhiro
Y
Nakayama
Akemi
A
J  Mori
Kazuhiro
K
D029845:Amphibian Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001052:Apoferritins / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D003001:Cloning, Molecular / Q000379:methods*; D015926:Complement C3a / Q000235:genetics; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000235:genetics; D015723:Gene Library; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006605:Hibernation / Q000235:genetics*; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D011892:Rana catesbeiana / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D012712:Serum Globulins / Q000235:genetics; D013382:Subtraction Technique; D014168:Transferrin / Q000235:genetics
D029845:Amphibian Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D021122:Protein Subunits; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D012712:Serum Globulins; D014168:Transferrin; C415123:cold inducible RNA-binding protein, Rana catesbeiana; C115605:hibernation-related protein, vertebrate; D015926:Complement C3a; D005340:Fibrinogen; D001052:Apoferritins