NH2-terminal sequence of macrophage-expressed natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (Nramp) encodes a proline/serine-rich putative Src homology 3-binding domain

Abstract

The Lsh/Ity/Bcg locus on mouse chromosome 1 regulates macrophage (mφ) priming/activation for antimicrobial activity against intracellular pathogens. A candidate Beg gene, designated natural resistance-associated mφ protein (Nramp), recently isolated from a pre-B cell cDNA library encodes a polytopic integral membrane protein with structural features common to prokaryotic and eukaryotic transporters. In the present study, an activated mφ cDNA library yielded new Nramp clones that differ in the 5′ region from the published pre-B cell-derived clone sequence, resulting in addition of 64 amino acids at the NH2 terminus of the predicted protein. This new domain is rich in proline, serine, and basic amino acids, and includes three protein kinase C phosphorylation sites and a putative Src homology 3 binding domain. RNAs containing this domain are the only form found in the mφ. Hence, the protein encoded by this RNA is the candidate molecule mediating natural resistance to intra-mφ pathogens.