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A Retinoic Acid-Inducible Modular Protease in Budding Ascidians
- Source :
- Developmental Biology. Oct 1, 1999, Vol. 214 Issue 1, p38, 8 p.
- Publication Year :
- 1999
-
Abstract
- Retinoic acid-treated mesenchyme cells of the budding ascidian Polyandrocarpa misakiensis acquire an organizer activity to induce a secondary body axis when implanted into developing buds. We identified several different mRNAs that were upregulated in the mesenchyme cells after retinoic acid treatment. We isolated a cDNA clone corresponding to one of these mRNAs. The C-terminal region of the predicted protein product is homologous to the catalytic domain of serine proteases that belong to the trypsin family. The N-terminal region contains several types of protein-protein interaction domains. We therefore named this protein tunicate retinoic acid-inducible modular protease (TRAMP). Expression of the TRAMP mRNA in mesenchyme cells during budding and its upregulation by retinoic acid were demonstrated by reverse transcription-PCR and in situ hybridization. A glutathione S-transferase-TRAMP fusion protein showed a protease activity with trypsin-like substrate specificity and stimulated proliferation of the cell line established in this species.
Details
- ISSN :
- 00121606
- Volume :
- 214
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Gale General OneFile
- Journal :
- Developmental Biology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsgcl.60253371