The mouse synemin gene encodes three intermediate filament proteins generated by alternative exon usage and different open reading frames.

We have previously cloned and characterized the human synemin gene, which encodes two intermediate filament proteins (IFPs). We now show that the mouse synemin gene encodes three different synemin isoforms through an alternative splicing mechanism. Two of them, synemin H and M are similar to human alpha and beta synemin, and the third isoform, L synemin, constitutes a new form of IFP.

Human synemin gene generates splice variants encoding two distinct intermediate filament proteins.

Intermediate filament (IF) proteins are constituents of the cytoskeleton, conferring resistance to mechanical stress, and are encoded by a dispersed multigene family. In man we have identified two isoforms (180 and 150 kDa) of the IF protein synemin. Synemin alpha and beta have a very short N-terminal domain of 10 amino acids and a long C-terminal domain consisting of 1243 amino acids for the alpha isoform and 931 amino acids for the beta isoform.

Cardiac functional improvement by a human Bcl-2 transgene in a mouse model of ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Background: Apoptosis has been shown to contribute to myocardial reperfusion injury. It has been suggested that, in reducing the apoptotic component within the ischemic area at risk, Bcl-2 overexpression could lead to a ventricular function improvement.

Methods: Transgenic mice overexpressing the anti-apoptotic human Bcl-2 cDNA in heart were subjected to a 1-h left coronary artery occlusion followed by a 24-h reperfusion.

Characterization of the dystrophin-syntrophin interaction using the two-hybrid system in yeast.

The carboxy-terminal region of dystrophin has previously been shown to interact directly with alpha1 syntrophin, a cytoplasmic component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex, by in vitro biochemical studies such as overlay assay or immunoprecipitation. Using the two-hybrid system, we have isolated from a human heart cDNA library the entire coding sequence of human alpha1 syntrophin, therefore confirming for the first time this interaction via an in vivo approach. In addition, we have reduced the interaction domain to the distal half of alpha1 syntrophin.