NABP1, a novel RORgamma-regulated gene encoding a single-stranded nucleic-acid-binding protein.
RORgamma2 (retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma2) plays a critical role in the regulation of thymopoiesis. Microarray analysis was performed in order to uncover differences in gene expression between thymocytes of wild-type and RORgamma-/- mice. This analysis identified a novel gene encoding a 22 kDa protein, referred to as NABP1 (nucleic-acid-binding protein 1). This subsequently led to the identification of an additional protein, closely related to NABP1, designated NABP2. Both proteins contain an OB (oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide binding) motif at their N-terminus. This motif is highly conserved between the two proteins. NABP1 is highly expressed in the thymus of wild-type mice and is greatly suppressed in RORgamma-/- mice. During thymopoiesis, NABP1 mRNA expression is restricted to CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, an expression pattern similar to that observed for RORgamma2. These observations appear to suggest that NABP1 expression is regulated either directly or indirectly by RORgamma2. Confocal microscopic analysis showed that the NABP1 protein localizes to the nucleus. Analysis of nuclear proteins by size-exclusion chromatography indicated that NABP1 is part of a high molecular-mass protein complex. Since the OB-fold is frequently involved in the recognition of nucleic acids, the interaction of NABP1 with various nucleic acids was examined. Our results demonstrate that NABP1 binds single-stranded nucleic acids, but not double-stranded DNA, suggesting that it functions as a single-stranded nucleic acid binding protein.
Cell Biology Section, Laboratory of Respiratory Biology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
Hong Soon
HS
Kang
Ju Youn
JY
Beak
Yong-Sik
YS
Kim
Robert M
RM
Petrovich
Jennifer B
JB
Collins
Sherry F
SF
Grissom
Anton M
AM
Jetten
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D057132:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000502:physiology; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
D002352:Carrier Proteins; C511297:NABP1 protein, mouse; D057132:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone; C539901:Rorc protein, mouse; D004247:DNA