Cloning and characterization of a novel nuclear Bcl-2 family protein, zfMcl-1a, in zebrafish embryo

Ming Chyuan Chen, Hong Yi Gong, Ching Yi Cheng, Jia Pey Wang, Jiann Ruey Hong, Jen Leih Wu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)725-731
Number of pages7
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume279
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2000

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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