Nucleotide sequence of exons 5 to 9 of the p53 tumour-suppressor gene of the donkey (Equus asinus)

Cloning, sequence analysis and expression of the cDNAs encoding the canine and equine homologues of the mouse double minute 2 (mdm2) proto-oncogene

The mdm2 oncogene is amplified and overexpressed in a variety of human tumours and the oncogenic potential of MDM2 is partly due to its ability to inactivate tumour suppressor p53 function. In the present communication we describe the cloning, sequence analysis and expression of the complete wildtype canine and equine mdm2 cDNAs. The encoded full-length canine and equine cDNAs show strong sequence homology with MDM2 proteins from other species and both cDNAs generate recombinant proteins of approximately 90 kDa. These data will allow for the role of this oncogene to be established in companion animal oncology.

Nucleotide sequence of the porcine p53 cDNA, and the detection of recombinant porcine p53 expressed in vitro with a variety of anti-p53 antibodies

The cDNA of porcine p53 was cloned and sequenced by a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT - PCR) approach with primers based on regions of homology between all known p53 sequences. The p53 cDNA was found to be 87% conserved to human p53 and 86% conserved to bovine p53 at the nucleotide level. The porcine p53 sequence was inserted into an expression vector and recombinant protein expressed in vitro. An approximately 50 kDa protein was detected by Western blotting using both polyclonal and monoclonal anti-p53 antibodies. The sequence data of porcine p53 and the ability to detect expressed protein with various anti-p53 antibodies will allow the p53 status of the pig population, and the role of p53 in porcine tumours, to be assessed. An understanding of tumour development in the pig may be important if pig cells, tissues or organs are to be used in the treatment of humans.

Nucleotide sequence of a highly conserved region of the canine p53 tumour suppressor gene

An evolutionary conserved region of the canine tumour suppressor gene, p53, was PCR amplified and its DNA sequence determined. The 1003 bp fragment consisted of exons 5 to 8 and the intervening introns. A high level of sequence homology was demonstrated with human sequences, with the evolutionary conserved domains II, III, IV and V being identical.