Characterization and functional significance of myotrophin: a gene with multiple transcripts.

Abstract

The underlying mechanism for the development of cardiac hypertrophy that advances to heart failure is not known. Many factors have been implied to play a role in this process. Among others, we have isolated and identified myotrophin, a factor that stimulates myocytes growth, from spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) heart and patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. The gene encoding myotrophin has been cloned and expressed in E. coli. Recently, myotrophin gene has been mapped and shown to be a novel gene localized in human chromosome 7q-33. To define the characteristics of each transcript and its pathophysiological significance, we examined transcripts of myotrophin in SHR heart during progression of hypertrophy. Northern blot analysis of myotrophin mRNA showed multiple transcripts. We isolated and characterized various myotrophin cDNA clones corresponding to the multiple transcripts by 5' "stretch plus" rat heart cDNA library screening. Sequence analysis of these cDNA clones indicates that each clone has a unique 5' UTR and multiple 3' UTR with varying lengths, repeated ATTTA motifs and many polyadenylation signals. In vitro transcripts generated from all these myotrophin-specific cDNA clones translate in vitro to a 12-kD protein. Among pathophysiological significance, we determined mRNA expression in 9 days old, 3 weeks old and 31 weeks old and observed a linear increased during the progression of hypertrophy. In WKY, this mRNA level remained the same throughout the growth and development of hypertrophy. Our data strongly suggest that myotrophin appears to be a candidate gene for cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.

• Authors: Gautam Adhikary, Sudhiranjan Gupta, Parames Sil, Yasser Saad, Subha Sen
• Journal: Gene (Gene) Vol. 353 Issue 1 Pg. 31-40 (Jun 20 2005) ISSN: 0378-1119 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 15946807 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• DNA, Complementary
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
• RNA, Messenger
• myotrophin

Topics

• Amino Acid Sequence
• Animals
• Base Sequence
• Blotting, Northern
• Blotting, Southern
• Cardiomegaly (genetics, physiopathology)
• DNA, Complementary (chemistry, genetics)
• Exons
• Female
• Gene Expression
• Genes (genetics)
• Humans
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins (genetics, physiology)
• Introns
• Male
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Myocardium (metabolism)
• Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
• Pregnancy
• Protein Biosynthesis (genetics)
• RNA, Messenger (genetics, metabolism)
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred SHR
• Rats, Inbred WKY
• Sequence Analysis, DNA
• Time Factors
• Transcription, Genetic (genetics)