Human cellular fibronectin: comparison of the carboxyl-terminal portion with rat identifies primary structural domains separated by hypervariable regions

Biochemistry. 1985 May 21;24(11):2698-704. doi: 10.1021/bi00332a016.

Abstract

We report the isolation and characterization of four overlapping cDNA clones coding for human cellular fibronectin which continuously cover more than 3 kilobases in length. The nucleotide sequence of these cDNAs has been determined, thus elucidating the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal 794 residues of human fibronectin, which cover the edge of cellular-, heparin-, and fibrin-binding domains of this protein. Comparisons of the nucleotide sequences and the deduced amino acid sequences with those of rat [Schwarzbauer, J. E., Tamkun, J. W., Lemischka, I. R., & Hynes, R. O. (1983) Cell (Cambridge, Mass.) 35, 421] indicate a high degree of conservation at both nucleotide and amino acid levels. Comparison with previously published data on amino acid sequences of bovine fibronectin made it possible to identify structurally important features of the protein during the evolution of human, calf, and rat. The deduced human amino acid sequences contain five type III and three type I repeats of internal homologies. The interspecies conservation in amino acids is more pronounced in regions containing the internal repeats and within each functional domain. The implications of these interspecies conservation and divergence are discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA Restriction Enzymes
  • Fibronectins / genetics*
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Humans
  • Plasmids
  • Rats
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Fibronectins
  • DNA
  • DNA Restriction Enzymes

Associated data

  • GENBANK/M10905