title: Gene cloning, expression and functional characterization of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) from hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus).
abstract: Here we describe the identification of the hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus homologue of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) of the TNF family (designated heAPRIL). Hedgehog APRIL contains two cysteine residues (Cys(196) and Cys(211)), a furin protease cleavage site and a conserved putative N-glycosylation site (Asn(124)). Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis revealed that heAPRIL could be detected in various tissues. MTT assays and flow cytometric analysis revealed that Nus-hesAPRIL and hesAPRIL could promote the survival/proliferation of splenic B cells. Laser scanning confocal microscopy analysis showed GFP-hesAPRIL could successfully bind to the APRIL receptors of lymphocytes.
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Life Sciences College, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China.
authors.forename: Xian-Wei
authors.initials: XW
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Chen-Bo
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Ai-Ying
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shuang-Quan
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006364:Hedgehogs / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000235:genetics; D011485:Protein Binding; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D040681:Structural Homology, Protein; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13