The specific expression of three novel splice variant forms of human metalloprotease-like disintegrin-like cysteine-rich protein 2 gene in brain tissues and gliomas

We have previously identified 67 exons on a yeast artificial chromosome con tig spanning 1.5 Mb around the multidrug resistance 1 gene region of human chromosome 7q21.1, In this study, we identified three novel cytoplasmic var iants (MDC2-gamma, MDC2-delta, and MDC2-epsilon) of the human metalloprotea se-like disintegrin-like cysteine-rich protein 2 (MDC2) among these exons b y screening a human brain cDNA library and also by using a reverse transcri ption polymerase chain reaction, Genomic sequence analysis strongly support ed the idea that the variations in the cytoplasmic domain were generated by alternative splicing. The expression of MDC2 variant forms in human brain tissue and gliomas was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain r eaction and RNase protection assay. MDC2-epsilon was expressed only in the cortical and hippocampal regions in human brain, but not in gliomas, In con trast, MDC2-gamma was a major form expressed in human gliomas, Specific exp ression of these cytoplasmic variants of MDC2 in human brain and its malign ancies is discussed.