Cloning and Tissue Specific Expression of the Axolotl Cellular Retinoic Acid Binding Protein: (CRABP gene/Axolotl/Retinoic acid binding protein).

The CRABP gene encodes a cellular retinoic acid binding protein which is believed to mediate the teratogenic and pattern altering effects of retinoic acid (RA) on developing and regenerating systems. As a first step in examining the role of CRABP in transducing the effects of RA in the regenerating urodele limb, we have isolated with PCR three partial cDNAs which encode the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) cellular retinoic acid binding protein (aCRABP) and analyzed its expression in various tissues by Northern analysis. Sequence analysis of the clones revealed a high degree of nucleotide and deduced amino acid homology with mammalian and avian CRABP I, showing the highest homology with mouse CRABP I (79% & 85%, respectively).