First Author | Chen MC | Year | 2000 |
Journal | Biochem Biophys Res Commun | Volume | 279 |
Issue | 2 | Pages | 725-31 |
PubMed ID | 11118352 | Mgi Jnum | J:66496 |
Mgi Id | MGI:1928557 | Doi | 10.1006/bbrc.2000.3977 |
Citation | Chen MC, et al. (2000) Cloning and characterization of a novel nuclear bcl-2 family protein, zfMcl-1a, in zebrafish embryo. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 279(2):725-31 |
abstractText | The importance of the Bcl-2 family proteins in normal vertebrate embryogenesis is being recognized; however, their regulatory mechanism is poorly understood. To elucidate the embryonic roles of Bcl-2 family proteins, we cloned and characterized the first zebrafish Bcl-2 family protein, zfMcl-1a. Zebrafish Mcl-1a shows the highest homology to rat Mcl-1 and contains several conserved BH domains of the Bcl-2 family proteins. It also contains a nuclear localization signal (NLS). Using EGFP reporter analysis, we verified the nuclear localization of zfMcl-1a. Deletion of the NLS resulted in distribution of the fusion protein in the cytoplasm. Northern blot analysis indicated that zfMcl-1a mRNA is 1.5 kb and was expressed in oocytes and throughout embryonic development. Notably, the expression of zfMcl-1a transcript was significantly downregulated during gastrulation. These results suggest that zfMcl-1a is a novel nuclear Bcl-2 family protein and is likely to play an important role in zebrafish oogenesis and embryogenesis. Copyright 2000 Academic Press. |