cDNAs Encoding Members of a Family of Proteins Related to Human Sterol Carrier Protein 2 and Assignment of the Gene to Human Chromosome 1 p21→pter

Abstract

Sterol carrier protein 2 (SCP₂) is believed to play a key role in intracellular lipid movement. Here we report the cloning and nucleotide sequences of cDNAs encoding SCP₂-related proteins of 58.85 kD and 30.8 kD and the assignment of the SCP₂ gene to human chromosome 1 p21-pter. The SCP₂-related proteins share common deduced carboxyl amino acid sequences with SCP₂ and the cDNAs have a common 3′ untranslated nucleotide sequence. The mRNAs encoding these proteins increased in a coordinate fashion as human placental cytotrophoblasts differentiated into syncytiotrophoblasts in culture. Our observations document the existence of a family of related proteins encoded by the human SCP₂ gene.