Identification of a differentiation-related gene in the central nervous system using differential display method

我们已经使用差异显示方法，以确定在中枢神经系统发育过程中差异表达的基因。使用这种方法，我们已经确定了一种新的大鼠cDNA（RNB6），编码42 kDa的蛋白质，并在发育中的胚胎大鼠脑中表达。出生后第1天，RNB 6在脑组织中的表达水平达到峰值，此后逐渐下降。RNB6的预测氨基酸序列与人肌动蛋白相关蛋白血管舒张刺激磷蛋白（VASP）有45%的同源性。VASP作为profilin的配体，肌动蛋白丝组装的信号转导器。RNB6和VASP的同源性表明RNB6可能参与CNS发育过程中的细胞运动。

We have used the differential display method to identify genes which are differentially expressed during CNS development. Using this approach, we have identified a novel rat cDNA (RNB6) that codes for a protein of 42 kDa and is expressed in the developing embryonic rat brain. The level of expression of RNB6 peaks on postnatal day 1 in brain tissue and gradually decrease thereafter. The predicted aminoacid sequence of RNB6 shares a 45% homology with the human actin-associated protein, vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP). VASP functions as a lignad for profilin, a signal-transducer for actin filament assembly. The shared homology of RNB6 and VASP suggests that RNB6 may take part in cellular motility during development of the CNS.