One single mRNA encodes the centrosomal protein CCD41 and the endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR)

The cDNA encoding the centrosomal protein CCD41 is identical with the cDNA for the endothelial cell protein C receptor. This finding is not due to an artefact, e.g. caused by selection of false positive clones. The segment of the CCD41 cDNA encoding the protein originally termed CCD41 and deletion m utants of it were fused with the nucleotide sequence encoding the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), Transfection and expression of the full l ength construct produces a fusion protein mainly located in cell membranes reflecting the receptor-type protein. Deletion mutants, e.g. those where th e signal sequence is deleted, result in fusion proteins which are exclusive ly incorporated into a small perinuclear structure which is the site of the centrosome, This result suggests that posttranslational modification, name ly deletion of the signal sequence, is decisive for the centrosomal locatio n of the resulting centrosomal protein while the unprocessed protein is inc orporated into cell membranes. (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.