MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL HUMAN PDZ DOMAIN PROTEIN WITH HOMOLOGY TO INAD FROM DROSOPHILA-MELANOGASTER

PDZ domains are thought to act as protein-binding modules mediating th e clustering of membrane and membrane-associated proteins. The INAD pr otein has been shown to interact via a PDZ domain,vith the calcium cha nnel TRP which contributes to capacitative calcium entry into Drosophi la photoreceptor cells. We have cloned the cDNA of a human INAD-Like p rotein (hINADL) of 1524 amino acids in length containing at least five PDZ domains. Additionally, two truncated versions hINADL(Delta 304) a nd hINADL(Delta 853) were identified. hInadl transcripts of differing size are expressed in various tissues including brain, where transcrip ts are abundant in the cerebellum. (C) 1997 Federation of European Bio chemical Societies.