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Genes encoding giant danio and golden shiner ependymin

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Abstract

Ependymin (EPN) is a brain glycoprotein that functions as a neurotrophic factor in optic nerve regeneration and long-term memory consolidation in goldfish. To date, trueepn genes have been characterized in one order of teleost fish,Cypriniformes. In the study presented here, polymerase chain reactions were used to analyze the completeepn genes,gd (1480 bp), andsh (2071 bp), fromCypriniformes giant danio and shiner, respectively. Southern hybridizations demonstrated the existence of one copy of each gene per corresponding haploid, genome. Each gene was found to contain six exons and five introns. Genegd encodes a predicted 218-amino acid (aa) protein GD 93% conserved to goldfish EPN, whilesh encodes a predicted 214-aa protein SH 91% homologous to goldfish. Evidence is presented classifying proteins previously termed “EPNs” into two major categories: true EPNs and non-EPN cerebrospinal fluid glycoproteins. Proteins GD and SH contain all the hallmark features of true EPNs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 01609, Worcester, MA, USA

    David S. Adams, Miki Kiyokawa & Michael E. Getman

  2. Neuromedica, Inc., 99 Erie Street, 02139, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Victor E. Shashoua

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  1. David S. Adams
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  2. Miki Kiyokawa
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  3. Michael E. Getman
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  4. Victor E. Shashoua
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Correspondence to David S. Adams.

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Adams, D.S., Kiyokawa, M., Getman, M.E. et al. Genes encoding giant danio and golden shiner ependymin. Neurochem Res 21, 377–384 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02531655

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