Cloning and sequencing of a full length cDNA coding for a human apoferritin H chain: evidence for a multigene family

• Published in: The EMBO journal Vol. 3; no. 1; pp. 23 - 27
• Main Authors: Costanzo, F., Santoro, C., Colantuoni, V., Bensi, G., Raugei, G., Romano, V., Cortese, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group 01.01.1984
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Apoferritins - genetics; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; Cloning, Molecular; DNA - metabolism; DNA Restriction Enzymes; Ferritins - analogs & derivatives; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genes; Genes. Genome; Genetic Vectors; Humans; Liver - metabolism; Macromolecular Substances; Molecular and cellular biology; Molecular genetics; Human; Spleen; Heavy-Peptide chain; Complementary DNA; Gene; Liver; Metalloprotein; Tissue specificity; Multigene family; Molecular cloning; Subunit; Ferritine
• ISSN: 0261-4189; 1460-2075
• DOI: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1984.tb01756.x

We have cloned a segment of cDNA from human liver coding for an apoferritin subunit, probably an H chain. Sequence comparison with the available protein sequence shows that our clone corresponds to a ferritin subunit present as a minor species in human spleen and placenta, but as major species in HeLa cells. Northern blot analysis shows the existence of only one band of similar size in human liver, HeLa cells, Daudi lymphoma and Hep3B hepatoma cell lines. In contrast, Southern blot analysis provides evidence for a multigene family.