A DOG GROWTH-HORMONE CDNA CODES FOR A MATURE PROTEIN IDENTICAL TO PIGGROWTH-HORMONE

Although methods for purification of dog (Canis familial is) growth ho rmone (cfGH) were described in the late Sixties, the cloning of its cD NA has not been achieved until now. In order to clone the cfGH cDNA, w e capitalized on the high degree of nucleotide sequence conservation a mong mammalian GH genes to design a pair of consensus oligodeoxyribonu cleotide primers. With these, and starting with dog pituitary gland to tal RNA, we specifically amplified the cfGH cDNA using the reverse tra nscription-polymerase chain reaction. Its coding sequence (651 bp), as well as its 3' untranslated region (101 bp), resemble those of a typi cal mammalian GH cDNA. Interestingly, its encoded mature protein is id entical to pig growth hormone (pGH).