Isolation and characterization of the Xenopus laevis cDNA and genomic homologs of neuropeptide Y.

We have isolated Xenopus laevis cDNA and genomic clones encoding the neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA and gene using a probe from the human NPY gene. The longest open reading frame in the cDNA encodes a peptide 76% identical to human prepro-NPY and 73% identical to rat prepro-NPY. The putative mature Xenopus NPY (XNPY) peptide is 94% identical to both human and rat peptides. A genomic clone containing 422 base pairs of 5'-flanking sequences and the 5'-end of the mRNA was also isolated. Primer extension analysis was used to map the transcription initiation site of the Xenopus NPY gene. Comparison of the 5'-flanking sequences of the Xenopus laevis, human, and rat NPY genes resulted in areas of high conservation, including the TATA box and the CT box previously shown to interact with Sp1-like proteins. Distribution of the Xenopus NPY message was analyzed by Northern analysis and RNAse protection. XNPY transcripts were not detected in whole developing embryo RNA, but were detected in adult frog brain RNA. We have also conducted preliminary studies of the XNPY promoter, utilizing an XNPY/chloramphenicol acetyl-transferase fusion construct. This study has demonstrated that Xenopus NPY shares a high degree of identity to its human and rat counterparts and that this homology extends to the gene, which contains similar cis-elements positioned near the transcription start site.

Tissue-specific expression of the human neuropeptide Y gene in transgenic mice.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is the most abundant neuropeptide detected in the mammalian brain, and is found throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. This peptide is a proposed regulator of appetite, blood pressure, and pituitary hormone release. Previous experiments have demonstrated the ability of 5' sequences within the human NPY gene to promote transcription in cultured neuronal cells. To identify sequences in this gene that regulate tissue-specific expression, a NPY/CAT fusion gene, containing approximately 850 bp of NPY sequences, was microinjected into fertilized mouse ova. Five lines of transgenic mice were derived from these ova and several tissues from mice of each line were tested for transgene expression using the CAT assay. One line demonstrated X-chromosome-linked transmission of the transgene while the other lines demonstrated autosomally-linked transmission. Three lines demonstrated transgene expression with significant levels of CAT activity detectable only in tissues which have been shown to express endogenous NPY. One autosomally-linked line did not demonstrate significant levels of transgene activity because the transgene appeared to have undergone structural alteration during genomic integration. No transgene activity was detected in either male of female mice from the X-linked line, suggesting a positional regulation of the transgene locus other than X-inactivation in this line. The present research demonstrated the NPY regulatory sequences included in pCATNPY delta 796 sufficiently directed tissue-appropriate gene expression in transgenic mice.

Expression of the human neuropeptide Y gene.

Cis-acting sequences involved in the expression of the human neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene were identified by transient expression and in vitro transcription assays using the Lan-5 cell system. Sequences between -63 and -51 were necessary for NPY gene expression. Gel retardation analyses utilizing this region indicate that a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein interacts with the sequence CCCCTCC. An in vitro nuclear transcription system was prepared from Lan-5 cell nuclei in order to determine a functional correlation between the CCCCTCC-binding protein and promoter activity. The NPY promoter was accurately transcribed in this system; furthermore, the data obtained from the in vitro transcription experiments were similar to those obtained from the in vivo transfection studies. Competition experiments in which an oligonucleotide containing either CCCCTCC or Sp1 (GGCGGG) sequences was added in excess to the transcription extracts demonstrated the functional importance of an Sp1-like protein in NPY gene transcription.

Two precursors of melanin-concentrating hormone: DNA sequence analysis and in situ immunochemical localization.

Two precursors to Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) melanin-concentrating hormone, an important factor in teleosts involved in the control of skin pigmentation and stress responsiveness, have been identified from DNA sequence analysis. Both precursors encode proteins of 132 amino acids and they share 107/132 amino acid identities. The biologically active 17-residue peptide is located at the C terminus of both precursors and can be liberated by proteolytic cleavage following two adjacent arginine residues. Additional putative proteolytic processing sites are located within the two precursors. Northern analysis demonstrated an intense hybridization signal of 750 nucleotides in the hypothalamus. Immunocytochemical studies as well as in situ hybridization analyses identify intensely staining cell bodies in the hypothalamus in the area of the lateral tuberal nucleus.

Assaying the reporter gene chloramphenicol acetyltransferase.

These experiments document the presence of enzymatic activities in extracts of commonly used cell lines which interfere with the determination of CAT activity. We suspect that the deacetylase activity is the most important, as the extract of the H4IIE C3 cells was capable of completely deacetylating the mono- and diacetylchloramphenicol formed during a 2-hr incubation of CAT with chloramphenicol and acetyl-CoA. The results of the inhibitor experiments are consistent with the presence of proteases which degrade CAT, or a serine carboxylesterase. The interference was also reduced by about half by EDTA; a metalloenzyme (either a protease or esterase) may therefore be involved. This interference appears to be a common phenomenon. We have surveyed 23 different cell types for the presence of the interfering activity and found it in 15. The interference was particularly prominent in several neuroendocrine and hepatoma cells. We took advantage of the effect of EDTA and the heat stability of CAT to eliminate the interference. Addition of 5 mM EDTA and a 10-min incubation of the sonicated cell suspension at 60 degrees prior to centrifugation abolished the interference in all cell lines tested. It is important to note that in order to reveal any CAT activity in some of the extracts (e.g., PC-12 or Hep3B), it was necessary to run the CAT assay for 2 hr. The control assays were therefore run almost to completion, and were well beyond the linear range of the assay. Therefore, the small differences which we observed between the heat-treated and control samples in some instances (e.g., rice, corn, or HeLa cells) will be dramatically amplified when the CAT assay is performed under conditions in which only a small percentage of the substrate is converted to product. After these studies had been performed, we found that others have also recommended heat treatment of the cell extract prior to CAT assay. We concur with this recommendation. We suggest that EDTA plus heat treatment of the cell extract should be incorporated into all CAT assay protocols, unless it has been previously determined that extracts of the cells used do not interfere. Furthermore, the heat treatment step should be used whenever the activity of promoter-CAT constructs is compared among different cell lines, as is often done to define tissue-specific expression.

Localization of neuropeptide Y mRNA in neurons of human cerebral cortex by means of in situ hybridization with a complementary RNA probe.

The distribution of mRNA encoding neuropeptide Y (NPY) in neurons of the normal human cerebral cortex in surgical biopsy specimens and postmortem brain was studied by in situ hybridization techniques. A 32P-labeled complementary RNA (cRNA) probe was used on cryostat sections of 13 formaldehyde-fixed cortical biopsy specimens. Hybridization to NPY mRNA was found in all samples: after autoradiography, discrete deposits of silver granules were observed on neuronal cell bodies abundantly distributed in the deep layers of the cortex, particularly laminae IV and VI, and on smaller cell bodies in the white matter. The localization of the neurons hybridized for NPY mRNA was comparable to that of NPY-immunoreactive cells as shown in sections from the same tissue blocks immunostained by using NPY antibodies. The specificity of the in situ hybridization technique was confirmed by blot hybridization analysis of electrophoretically fractionated RNA. This study clearly demonstrated the consistent localization of NPY gene transcription and expression in normal mature human cortical neurons.

Characterization, sequence, and expression of the cloned human neuropeptide Y gene.

The human neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene was isolated from a human genomic DNA library. The transcription unit spans approximately 8 kilobase pairs and is interrupted by three intervening sequences. The first exon contains only nontranslated DNA. The site where transcription initiates was determined by primer extension analysis using a primer derived from a human cDNA, pheochromocytoma RNA and avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase. A TATA-like sequence and a CAAT-like sequence occur 25 and 70 base pairs 5' to the transcription start site, respectively. The second exon begins with the initiator Met for preproNPY and extends to the Arg (residue 63) which precedes the Tyr-amide of mature NPY. The third exon contains the coding region for 27 amino acids, and the fourth exon codes for the terminal heptapeptide and the 3' nontranslated DNA. Transcriptional control elements were investigated by fusing 581 base pairs of the 5' sequences of the NPY gene to the promoterless structural gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase. NPY promoter activity was assayed by transfection of these hybrid constructions into CA-77 and PC12 cells followed by the determination of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity in cellular extracts. DNA sequences located within 530 bases of the start of transcription are sufficient for transient expression in the two neuronally derived cell lines examined.

Genes encoding pancreatic polypeptide and neuropeptide Y are on human chromosomes 17 and 7.

Pancreatic polypeptide and neuropeptide Y share 50% amino acid homology (18 out of 36 residues), suggesting that they may have common ancestral origins. cDNA clones complementary to human mRNAs encoding pancreatic polypeptide and neuropeptide Y were used to detect specific human genomic DNA sequences in human-mouse somatic cell hybrid lines. The pancreatic polypeptide gene (PPY) segregated with human chromosome 17, while the neuropeptide Y gene (NPY) segregated with human chromosome 7. Examination of cell hybrids with chromosomal rearrangements assigned PPY to the p11.1-qter region and NPY to the pter-q22 region of their respective chromosomes.

Isolation, characterization, and DNA sequence of the rat somatostatin gene.

The gene encoding rat somatostatin has been isolated from a lambda phage gene library. Phage harboring the gene were identified by plaque hybridization using a nick-translated fragment derived from the cDNA for rat somatostatin. The transcriptional unit includes exons of 238 and 367 base pairs (bp) separated by one intron of 621 bp. The intron is located between the codons for Gln (-57) and Glu (-56) of prosomatostatin. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence 5' to the start of transcription reveals a number of sequences which may be involved in the expression of somatostatin. A variant of the "TATA" box, TTTAAA, lies 26 bp upstream from the start of transcription, and a sequence homologous to the "CAAT" box (GGCTAAT) is 92 bp upstream from the transcription start. A long alternating purine-pyrimidine stretch, (GT)25, which is similar to Z DNA-forming sequences in other genes, lies 628 bp 5' to the transcription start and is flanked by small repeats. Hybridization analysis shows that this region is highly repeated in the genome and that homologous sequences are located approximately 2 kilobase pairs downstream from the poly(A) addition site. Southern hybridization of the lambda clone with probes derived from brain or liver poly(A+) RNA demonstrates that another transcribed sequence lies about 7 kilobase pairs downstream from the poly(A) addition site of the rat somatostatin gene. Analysis of rat DNA suggests that there may be restriction-site polymorphisms in or near the gene or that additional somatostatin-hybridizing sequences may exist in the genome.

Cloning, characterization, and DNA sequence of a human cDNA encoding neuropeptide tyrosine.

In vitro translation of the RNA isolated from a human pheochromocytoma demonstrated that this tumor contained a mRNA encoding a 10.5-kDa protein, which was immunoprecipitated with antiserum raised against porcine neuropeptide Y. Double-stranded cDNA was synthesized from total RNA and inserted into the Pst I site of pUC8. Transformants containing the neuropeptide Y cDNA were identified using the mixed hybridization probe d[A-(A,G)-(A,G)-T-T-(A,G,T)-A-T-(A,G)-T-A-(A,G)-T-G]. The probe sequences were based on the known amino acid sequence, His-Tyr-Ile-Asn-Leu, found in porcine neuropeptide Y. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA was determined and contained 86 and 174 bases in the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions, respectively. The coding sequence consisted of 291 bases, suggesting a precursor to neuropeptide Y that was 97 amino acids long (10,839 Da). The deduced amino acid sequence of the precursor suggested that there were at least two sites of proteolytic processing, which would generate three peptides having 28 (signal peptide), 36 (human neuropeptide Y), and 30 (COOH-terminal peptide) amino acid residues. A partial NH2-terminal sequence obtained by Edman degradation of the immunoprecipitated in vitro translation product identified the positions of methionine and leucine in the first 30 residues of the prepropeptide. A highly sensitive single-stranded complementary mRNA hybridization probe specific for neuropeptide Y mRNA was prepared using the bacteriophage SP6 promoter. This probe was used to identify a mRNA corresponding to neuropeptide Y of approximately 800 bases.

Visualisation of messenger RNA directing peptide synthesis by in situ hybridisation using a novel single-stranded cDNA probe. Potential for the investigation of gene expression and endocrine cell activity.

The neuropeptide tyrosine precursor (pre-pro-NPY) messenger RNA (mRNA) has been localised in formaldehyde-fixed human phaeochromocytoma tissue using a sensitive in situ hybridisation procedure and a novel single-stranded cDNA probe. The reaction product was revealed by avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex and streptavidin-gold complex with silver enhancement. This technique may be applied for the determination of biosynthetic activity of endocrine and neuronal cell bodies. This is largely due to its rapidity by comparison with conventional autoradiographic procedures, to the permanence of the reaction product and to the sensitivity of the visualisation steps.

Nucleotide and amino acid sequence comparisons of preprosomatostatins.

The amino acid and nucleotide sequences have been aligned for five preprosomatostatins: two from catfish, two from anglerfish, and one from rat. The physical characteristics of the aligned residues as well as substitutions in the nucleotide sequences suggest considerable mutability in one of the catfish and anglerfish precursors while three of the preprohormones which give rise to somatostatins-14 are closely related. Although there is a considerable number of amino acid substitutions within the aligned somatostatin-14 precursors, there is a high degree of structural relatedness among them. These results suggest that additional physiological roles for the amino acid sequences outside of the hormone region are likely. The predicted secondary structures of the three somatostatin-14 precursors are dominated by helical and turn configurations which are correlated with observed co- and post-translational processing of the preprohormones.

Cloning and characterization of a mRNA-encoding rat preprosomatostatin.

An undecanucleotide extended hybridization probe has been used to screen a rat medullary thyroid carcinoma cDNA library for clones which contain preprosomatostatin sequences. The nucleotide sequence encoding rat preprosomatostatin is reported. The sequence of cDNA contains 67 nucleotides in the 3'-noncoding region, 84 nucleotides in the 5'-untranslated region, and 458 bases corresponding to the coding region. The mRNA codes for a somatostatin precursor 116 amino acids in length (Mr = 12,773). The preprosomatostatin has a sequence of hydrophobic amino acids at the NH2 terminus, followed by a peptide of approximately 78 residues, which precedes somatostatin-14. The amino acid sequences of rat and human preprosomatostatin (Shen, L. P., Pictet, R. L., and Rutter, W. J. (1982) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 79, 4575-4579) differ by only 4 amino acid residues. Translation of rat poly(A) RNA in a rabbit reticulocyte cell-free system followed by immunoprecipitation with antisera directed against somatostatin-14 demonstrated the synthesis of a single protein having a molecular weight of 15,000. Two proteins having molecular weights of 14,000 and 15,000 are immunoprecipitated from a wheat germ cell-free translation mixture. Northern analysis of the somatostatin mRNA indicated that it is approximately 850 nucleotides in length. Analysis of several medullary thyroid carcinomas demonstrated that one tumor, designated WF, had immunoreactive somatostatin-14 in concentrations of 350 ng of somatostatin-14/mg of protein and somatostatin mRNA that represented 10% of the cellular poly(A) RNA. Cell lines derived from this tumor may provide an attractive system to investigate the regulation of somatostatin gene expression.

Cloning and biosynthetic studies of rat somatostatin.

The predicted amino acid sequence of rat preprosomatostatin has been obtained by cloning and subsequent DNA sequence analysis of a cDNA obtained from mRNA prepared from a rat medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The predicted preprosomatostatin is 116 amino acid residues in length. Somatostatin-14 is located at the C-terminus of the preprohormone and the amino terminus contains a 'signal' peptide of 24 amino acids. A somatostatin amino terminal protein of 78 residues is found between the signal peptide and somatostatin-14. Both somatostatin-14 and somatostatin-28 are observed in the thyroid tumour C-cells. A comparison of the rat and human preprosomatostatin amino acid sequences shows only 4 substitutions observed in 116 amino acids. Patients with localized MTC often exhibit high serum calcitonin levels while patients showing cellular heterogeneity in the MTC appear to have lower calcitonin levels and a virulent neoplasia with a grave prognosis. Numerous rat MTCs have been examined by two dimensional gel electrophoresis. It is possible to distinguish characteristic differences in protein profiles of tumours producing high levels of calcitonin from those showing low calcitonin and high somatostatin levels. This analysis can be done with less than 1 mg of tissue and may represent a valuable prognostic tool in evaluating the clinical variability of MTC.

Sequence of a cDNA encoding pancreatic preprosomatostatin-22.

We report the nucleotide sequence of a precursor to somatostatin that upon proteolytic processing may give rise to a hormone of 22 amino acids. The nucleotide sequence of a cDNA from the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) encodes a precursor to somatostatin that is 105 amino acids (Mr, 11,500). The cDNA coding for somatostatin-22 consists of 36 nucleotides in the 5' untranslated region, 315 nucleotides that code for the precursor to somatostatin-22, 269 nucleotides at the 3' untranslated region, and a variable length of poly(A). The putative preprohormone contains a sequence of hydrophobic amino acids at the amino terminus that has the properties of a "signal" peptide. A connecting sequence of approximately 57 amino acids is followed by a single Arg-Arg sequence, which immediately precedes the hormone. Somatostatin-22 is homologous to somatostatin-14 in 7 of the 14 amino acids, including the Phe-Trp-Lys sequence. Hybridization selection of mRNA, followed by its translation in a wheat germ cell-free system, resulted in the synthesis of a single polypeptide having a molecular weight of approximately 10,000 as estimated on Na-DodSO4/polyacrylamide gels.

The structure of cloned DNA complementary to catfish pancreatic somatostatin-14 messenger RNA.

Pancreatic poly(A) RNA isolated from the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) was enriched for sequences corresponding to somatostatin mRNA on isokinetic sucrose gradients. Double-stranded cDNA was synthesized and inserted into the Pst I site pBR322 via the poly(dG) . poly(dC) tailing method. Escherichia coli was transformed with this DNA, and colonies containing somatostatin cDNA sequences were identified by hybridization using a primer-extended somatostatin cDNA. The somatostatin cDNA was obtained by extending a 5'-labeled undecanucleotide primer complementary to somatostatin mRNA with reverse transcriptase using catfish poly(A) RNA as a template. The synthetic primer d(T-T-C-C-A-G-A-A-G-A-A) was deduced from the amino acid sequence Phe-Phe-Trp-Lys present in somatostatin-14. Twenty positive colonies were obtained upon screening 2000 transformants. The restriction maps of the plasmid DNA obtained from the positive colonies were examined. Nineteen of these plasmids contained sequences corresponding to somatostatin-14, while one contained a sequence corresponding to somatostatin-22. The nucleotide sequence of pancreatic somatostatin-14 is reported here. The cDNA contains 350 nucleotides in the 3' noncoding region, 345 nucleotides in the coding region, and 104 nucleotides in the 5'-untranslated region. The mRNA codes for a precursor to somatostatin which is 114 amino acids in length. The preprosomatostatin has a sequence of hydrophobic amino acids at the NH2 terminus, followed by a connecting peptide of approximately 75 amino acids. The sequence Arg-Lys precedes somatostatin-14. Analysis of genomic DNA from the channel catfish reveals that somatostatin-14 and somatostatin-22 are present on different restriction fragments.

Immunochemical characterization of a proline endopeptidase from rat brain. Its relationship to proline endopeptidase from other tissues and from other species.

Monospecific antiserum raised against rat brain proline endopeptidase is used to demonstrate the ubiquity of the enzyme and its unique role in the degradation of proline-containing peptides. All endoproteolytic activity directed toward proline residues in several rat tissues is shown to share one or more common antigenic determinants with rat brain proline endopeptidase. Similar activity from tissue of other species crossreacts with rat proline endopeptidase. The data presented suggest that proline endopeptidase is the sole cytoplasmic enzyme capable of degrading proline-containing peptides in every tissue examined and that previously reported proline-specific endoproteolytic activities observed in a variety of systems may be ascribed to proline endopeptidase. The putative role of proline endopeptidase in protein degradation is discussed.