RCHO-1 TROPHOBLAST CELL PLACENTAL LACTOGENS - COMPLEMENTARY DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACIDS, HETEROLOGOUS EXPRESSION, AND BIOLOGICAL-ACTIVITIES

In this report, we have investigated placental lactogens (placental la ctogen-I, PL-I; PL-I variant, PL-Iv; PL-II) expressed by differentiate d Rcho-1 trophoblast cells. A complementary DNA (cDNA) library to diff erentiated Rcho-1 trophoblast cells was constructed and screened with probes to detect PLI and PL-II. Sequence analysis of three independent Rcho-1 PL-I cDNAs indicated that they significantly differed from the previously reported PL-I sequence but more closely resembled a relate d cDNA referred to as PL-I mosaic (PL-Im). Upon further analysis, Rcho -1 PL-I/PL-Im transcripts could be detected in Rcho-1 trophoblast cell s and normal developing placental tissue; however, the previously repo rted PL-I transcript could not be identified from the same sources. Gi ven these results, we reexamined the original PL-I cDNA by PCR and nuc leotide sequence analyses. The sequence differed from the original rep ort and was found to be identical to the Rcho-1 PL-I and PL-Im cDNA cl ones. Thus, PL-I, Rcho-1 PL-I, and PL-Im are equivalent and should be referred to as PL-I. The PL-I gene was localized to chromosome 17 of t he rat genome, similar to other PRL family members. Rcho-1 PL-II cDNAs were identical to the published PL-II sequence, PL-Iv cDNAs were isol ated from differentiated Rcho-1 cells via an RT-PCR strategy and found to be identical to previously isolated PL-Iv cDNAs. Rcho-1 PL-I and P L-II cDNAs were subcloned into the pcDNA3 expression vector and recomb inant protein produced in HRP-1 cells. Both recombinant Rcho-1 PL-I an d PL-II proteins significantly stimulated the proliferation of lactoge n-dependent rat Nb2 lymphoma cells and mouse mammary epithelial cells. In summary, we show that the Rcho-1 PL-I corresponds to PL-Im and Rch o-1 PL-IV and PL-II are identical to their previously described placen tal counterparts. Additionally, both recombinant Rcho-1 PL-I and PL-II proteins are biologically active.