Isolation and partial characterization of a new gene encoding a helix-loop-helix transcription factor from black widow spiders that has homology to the achaete scute complex proteins (Latrodectus Hesperus).
Poster Number
32
Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
Helix-loop-helix (HLH) transcription factors are found in a wide range of different organsims ranging from yeast to humans. HLH proteins are important regulators of cellular proliferation and differentiation. It has been proposed that HLH proteins may be found in other organisms as well. In order to examine this proposal, we have searched for the presence of HLH proteins in the black widow spider. Following the screening of a cDNA library prepared from the black widow spider, we have isolated a single gene that encodes a novel member of the basic HLH family of transcription factors. Analysis of the retrieved cDNA shows a single open-reading frame that predicts a protein of a molecular weight of 25 kDa. The spider HLH protein shows 47% identities over a 44 amino acid stretch to achaete-scute HLH complexes, proteins involved in neurogenesis in the fruit fly Drosophila. In vitro transcription and translation of the spider gene produces a protein of approximately 36 kDa. To determine the transcriptional activity of the gene, mammalian transient transfection assays have been performed and the results will be presented.
Location
Pacific Geosciences Center
Start Date
20-4-2002 9:00 AM
End Date
20-4-2002 5:00 PM
Isolation and partial characterization of a new gene encoding a helix-loop-helix transcription factor from black widow spiders that has homology to the achaete scute complex proteins (Latrodectus Hesperus).
Pacific Geosciences Center
Helix-loop-helix (HLH) transcription factors are found in a wide range of different organsims ranging from yeast to humans. HLH proteins are important regulators of cellular proliferation and differentiation. It has been proposed that HLH proteins may be found in other organisms as well. In order to examine this proposal, we have searched for the presence of HLH proteins in the black widow spider. Following the screening of a cDNA library prepared from the black widow spider, we have isolated a single gene that encodes a novel member of the basic HLH family of transcription factors. Analysis of the retrieved cDNA shows a single open-reading frame that predicts a protein of a molecular weight of 25 kDa. The spider HLH protein shows 47% identities over a 44 amino acid stretch to achaete-scute HLH complexes, proteins involved in neurogenesis in the fruit fly Drosophila. In vitro transcription and translation of the spider gene produces a protein of approximately 36 kDa. To determine the transcriptional activity of the gene, mammalian transient transfection assays have been performed and the results will be presented.