Elsevier

Genomics

Volume 45, Issue 3, 1 November 1997, Pages 601-606
Genomics

Regular Article
A Human Homologue (BICD1) of theDrosophila Bicaudal-DGene

https://doi.org/10.1006/geno.1997.4971Get rights and content

Abstract

We previously isolated a cDNA fragment homologous to theDrosophila Bicaudal-Dgene (Bic-D) using a hybridization selection procedure with cosmids derived from the short arm of human chromosome 12. A PCR-mediated cDNA cloning strategy was applied to obtain the coding sequence of the human homologue (BICD1) and to generate a partial mouse (Bicdh1) cDNA. TheDrosophila Bicaudal-Dgene encodes a coiled coil protein, characterized by five α-helix domains and a leucine zipper motif, that forms part of the cytoskeleton and mediates the correct sorting of mRNAs for oocyte- and axis-determining factors during oogenesis. Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence of theBICD1cDNA clones indicates that the sequence similarity is essentially limited to the amphipatic helices and the leucine zipper, but the conserved order of these domains suggests a similar function of the protein in mammalians. A database search further indicates the existence of a second human homologue on chromosome arm 9q and aCaenorhabditis eleganshomologue. Northern blot analysis indicates that both the human and the murine homologues produce an mRNA species of ≅9.5 kb expressed in brain, heart, and skeletal muscle and during mouse embryonic development. The conserved structural characteristics of theBICD1protein and its expression in muscle and especially brain suggest thatBICD1is a component of a cytoskeleton-based mRNA sorting mechanism conserved during evolution.

References (25)

  • P. Dal Cin et al.

    Isochromosome 12p in mediastinal germ cell tumor

    Cancer Genet. Cytogenet.

    (1989)
  • J.B. Dumas Milne Edwards et al.

    Oligodeoxyribonucleotide ligation to single-stranded cDNAs: A new tool for cloning 5′ ends of mRNAs and for constructing cDNA libraries by in vitro amplification

    Nucleic Acids Res.

    (1991)
  • Cited by (33)

    • Biophysical properties of dynein in vivo

      2017, Dyneins: Dynein Mechanics, Dysfunction, and Disease: Second Edition
    • Neuronal Roles of the Bicaudal D Family of Motor Adaptors

      2017, Vitamins and Hormones
      Citation Excerpt :

      BICDs take part in processes like positioning of the centrosome and nucleus (Fig. 1B) (Splinter et al., 2010), which might explain their high expression throughout the organism in early development. In later life stages of many higher organisms like mammals, expression of BICD proteins is predominantly observed in organs like heart, muscle, spinal cord motor, and sensory neurons as well as brain (Baens & Marynen, 1997). In mammals, BICDs were shown to take part in cargo shuttle between Golgi and ER as well as regulation of exosomes secretion (Schlager et al., 2010) (Fig. 1A).

    • Structural basis for cargo binding and autoinhibition of Bicaudal-D1 by a parallel coiled-coil with homotypic registry

      2015, Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
      Citation Excerpt :

      The Drosophila BicD protein and its mammalian homologues in cultured cells, BICD1 and BICD2, were predicted to be cytoplasmic α-helical coiled-coil (CC) proteins that primarily localized to the Golgi apparatus along with dynactin at microtubule plus ends [13]. BICD proteins possess three CC regions, a N-terminal CC1, a central CC2, and a C-terminal CC3 region [14]. The N-terminal region of BICD, containing the CC1 and a portion of the CC2 regions, associates with cytoplasmic dynein [13].

    • Mutations in BICD2, which encodes a golgin and important motor adaptor, cause congenital autosomal-dominant spinal muscular atrophy

      2013, American Journal of Human Genetics
      Citation Excerpt :

      BICD2 (MIM 609797) is homologous to Drosophila bicaudal D (BicD), which is evolutionarily conserved from flies to humans (UniProt). Although flies have one BicD gene, mammals have two paralogous genes: BICD1 (MIM 602204), which is localized in chromosomal region 12p11.2–p11.1 and whose encoded protein is mainly expressed in brain, skeletal muscle, and heart,28 and BICD2, which is localized in chromosomal region 9q22.3 and encodes a ubiquitously expressed protein. BICD2 is a cytoplasmic conserved motor-adaptor protein involved in anterograde and retrograde transport.29

    • Nickel response in function of temperature differences: Effects at different levels of biological organization in Daphnia magna

      2011, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part D: Genomics and Proteomics
      Citation Excerpt :

      Cluster 9 summarizes the genes that are only induced at 14 °C, whereas cluster 2 is indicative of genes that are only induced at 26 °C (Fig. 2). Genes involved in reproductive processes were repressed due to cold treatment (14 °C) and showed a peak at 22 °C e.g. the in evolution well conserved Bic-D (bicaudal d homolog 1) gene (Baens and Marynen, 1997) which in Drosophila is illustrated to be important in eye development and oocyte growth (Oh and Steward, 2001) and several vitellogenin genes (cluster 1 and 7) involved in lipid transport and energy supply to the developing embryo. Since this peak of expression values at 22 °C nicely accords with the maximum reproductive success of the organisms at this temperature it was hypothesized that also other genes displaying similar patterns of expression (o.a. the genes included in the same clusters as the Vtg-genes, clusters 1 and 7 in Fig. 2) could have supportive roles in the development of the embryos and the production of offspring.

    • A novel protease-activated receptor-1 interactor, bicaudal D1, regulates G protein signaling and internalization

      2010, Journal of Biological Chemistry
      Citation Excerpt :

      BICD has long been known as an essential developmental gene in Drosophila oocytes. Mutations in BICD disrupt the polarity of the early embryo, which results in the formation of the Bicaudal or double abdomen phenotype (31). BicD1 was found to transport mRNA transcripts and regulate retrograde transport of vesicles from the Golgi to the endoplasmic reticulum (24, 25).

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    1

    To whom correspondence should be addressed at Center for Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. Telephone: 32-16-34.58.91. Fax: 32-16-34.59.97. E-mail: [email protected].

    View full text