title: Gerbil interleukin-18 and caspase-1: cloning, expression and characterization.
abstract: We are reporting the molecular cloning of gerbil interleukin-18 (IL-18) and caspase-1. The cDNAs encoding the molecules were cloned by cross-species reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and 5'/3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). COS-7 cells transfected with plasmids encoding pro-IL-18 and caspase-1 precursor expressed the two proteins intracellularly. When the cells were lysed in the presence of dithiothreitol, caspase-1 precursor became active and converted pro-IL-18 into mature IL-18. A partially purified preparation of gerbil mature IL-18 was bioactive, as it stimulated the proliferation of gerbil spleen cells in a dose-dependent manner.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Parasitology of McGill University, Macdonald Campus, Anne de Bellevue, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gaucher
authors.forename: Kris
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chadee
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D020170:Caspase 1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D005849:Gerbillinae / Q000235:genetics*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D043484:Proprotein Convertases; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013381:Subtilisins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D020382:Interleukin-18; D011498:Protein Precursors; D043484:Proprotein Convertases; D013381:Subtilisins; D020170:Caspase 1