Molecular cloning, expression and subcellular distribution of an alternative splice variant of the porcine Sirt2 gene.

Sirt2, a NAD(+)-dependent histone deacetylase, plays a critical role in regulating lifespan, metabolism, mitosis and adipocyte differentiation. Here two bands of the porcine Sirt2 protein were found by western blotting, so we speculated existence of Sirt2 isoforms. Next, we cloned the porcine Sirt2 gene, and also found its alternative splice variant and named the novel splicing variant Sirt2(T). The complete cDNA sequence of Sirt2(T) is 1059 bp, encoding a deduced protein of 352 amino acids which is 39 amino acids shorter at the N-terminus than Sirt2. RT-PCR revealed that the Sirt2(T) mRNA is extensively expressed in porcine tissues, and can be expressed during adipocyte differentiation. In addition, immunofluorescence and transfection demonstrated that Sirt2(T) is located in the cytoplasm and nucleus.