Cloning, characterization, and sequence of a porcine cDNA encoding a secreted neuronal and endocrine protein.

This report describes the cloning, sequence, and characterization of a cDNA which encodes a protein synthesized in the brain and endocrine tissue, including pituitary, adrenal medulla, and ovary. The deduced 207-amino-acid sequence of the 23-kD protein contains a hydrophobic signal peptide suggesting that it is secreted. Northern blot analysis utilizing the cDNA clone identifies a single RNA of approximately 1400 nucleotides in porcine brain, adrenal medulla, pituitary, and ovary, as well as in human endocrine tumors. Very high levels of RNA were observed in one human pancreatic tumor. Southern blot analysis suggests that sequences homologous to the porcine cDNA are present in human, cow, rat, and salmon DNA, indicating that the gene(s) have been highly conserved during evolution.