Molecular cloning and characterization of porcine Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase isoform α4.

Na/K-ATPase is responsible for maintaining electrochemical gradients of Na and K, which is essential for a variety of cellular functions including neuronal activity. The α-subunit of the Na/K-ATPase is composed of four different polypeptides (α1-α4) encoded by different genes. Na,K-ATPase α4, encoded by the ATP1A4 gene, is expressed in testis and in male germ cells of humans, rats and mice.

Molecular cloning and characterization of porcine Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase isoforms α1, α2, α3 and the ATP1A3 promoter.

Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase maintains electrochemical gradients of Na⁺ and K⁺ essential for a variety of cellular functions including neuronal activity. The α-subunit of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase exists in four different isoforms (α1-α4) encoded by different genes. With a view to future use of pig as an animal model in studies of human diseases caused by Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase mutations, we have determined the porcine coding sequences of the α1-α3 genes, ATP1A1, ATP1A2, and ATP1A3, their chromosomal localization, and expression patterns.

Characterization of the porcine TOR1A gene: The first step towards generation of a pig model for dystonia.

The TOR1A (also named DYT1) gene encodes a protein, TorsinA, a member of the AAA+ superfamily of ATPases. The AAA+ proteins have diverse functions such as organelle biogenesis, proteosome function, chaperone function, membrane trafficking and microtubule regulation. However, the molecular function of TorsinA is still largely unknown.