S. Otte et al., NUCB1, the Drosophila melanogaster homolog of the mammalian EF-hand proteins NEFA and nucleobindin, MECH DEVEL, 86(1-2), 1999, pp. 155-158
Mammalian NEFA and nucleobindin are calcium-binding proteins containing a s
ignal peptide, two EF-hand motifs, acidic and basic regions and a leucine-z
ipper motif. Although they have been discussed to be involved in autoimmuni
ty, apoptosis and calcium homeostasis in the Golgi apparatus and bone matri
x, their exact role remains unknown. Here we report the cloning of their Dr
osophila homolog, nucb1, as well as the analysis of its expression pattern
during embryogenesis and the subcellular localization of the NUCB1 protein.
The nucb1 mRNA and the NUCB1 protein were found to be expressed maternally
and zygotically, and they accumulate ubiquitously at low levels during all
embryonic stages due to a maternal component. From stage 11 onward, high l
evels of zygotic expression can be detected specifically in the salivary gl
ands and their placodes. In contrast to the known mammalian family members,
the NUCB1 protein localizes in a subpattern of cytoplasmic substructures,
probably the Golgi apparatus. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All ri
ghts reserved.