Molecular cloning and properties of the chicken leptin-receptor (CLEPR) gene

The mammalian leptin receptor (LEPR) (formerly OB-R) mediates the weight re gulatory effects of the circulating hormone leptin. The extreme obese pheno type of recessive mutations in the mouse leptin or LEPR genes (ob/ob and db /db mice, respectively) indicate the high potential of these genes for medi cal and agricultural research. In this paper, we report on the cloning of t he full-length chicken leptin receptor (CLEPR) cDNA, which is the first non -mammalian cloning of a LEPR gene. The CLEPR gene shares a relatively low s equence similarity with its mammalian counterparts, with an average of 60% identical nucleotides. However, comparison between the predicted protein se quences has shown a tight conservation of most previously characterized LEP R motifs and essential tyrosine residues. Similarities between the chicken and the mammalian LEPR genes were also observed in the pattern of mRNA expr ession. The identification of the CLEPR gene should facilitate the study of the molecular mechanism involved in the regulation of body growth and comp osition in avian. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserve d.