Jj. Maciejewski et al., Cloning and expression of a cDNA encoding a Vorticella convallaria spasmin: an EF-Hand calcium-binding protein, J EUKAR MIC, 46(2), 1999, pp. 165-173
The stalked, ciliated protozoan Vorticella convallaria possesses a highly c
ontractile cytoskeleton consisting of spasmonemes and myonemes. The major c
omponent of these contractile organelles is the calcium-binding protein(s)
called spasmin. Cloning and characterization of spasmin would help elucidat
e this contractile system. Therefore, enriched spasmoneme protein preparati
ons from these contractile stalks were used to produce a monoclonal antibod
y to spasmin. A monoclonal antibody, 1F5, was obtained that immunolocalized
specifically to the spasmonemes and the myonemes and recognized a 20-kD ca
lcium-binding protein in spasmoneme protein preparations. A putative spasmi
n cDNA was obtained from a V. convallaria cDNA library and the derived amin
o acid sequence of this cDNA revealed an acidic, 20-kD protein with calcium
-binding helix-loop-helix domains. The physical properties of the putative
spasmin were assessed by characterization of a recombinantly produced spasm
in protein. The recombinant spasmin protein was shown to bind calcium using
calcium gel-shift assays and was recognized by the anti-spasmin antibody.
Therefore, a V. convallaria spasmin was cloned and shown to be a member of
the EF-hand superfamily of calcium-binding proteins.