Characterization and Expression of the MouseEndonuclease GGene

Abstract

Endonuclease G (Endo G) is a nuclease of prokaryotic lineage found in the mitochondria of vertebrates that has been suggested to play a role in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication. We have isolated and sequenced the entire mouse endo G gene, determined the limits of the mRNA, and mapped the promoter region. The coding sequence of the single copy gene is interrupted by two introns and analysis of the transcripts does not support a model by which more than one Endo G isoform could be produced by alternative splicing. We have also characterized a full-length human Endo G cDNA and comparison at the protein level of the human, bovine, and murine nucleases indicates a high degree of conservation except in the respective mitochondrial targeting signals. Endo G is ubiquitously expressed and the steady-state levels of its mRNA vary by a factor greater than seven between different tissues. The relationship between the mtDNA copy number and Endo G mRNA levels is not strictly proportional but tissues richer in mtDNA have higher amounts of the mRNA and vice versa.

A matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization post-source decay (MALDI-PSD) analysis of proteins released from isolated liver mitochondria treated with recombinant truncated Bid

“…Identified was also endonuclease G, previously suggested to play a role in mitochondrial DNA replication, 35,36 and recently found to be released from the mitochondria during apoptosis, where it might be involved in caspaseindependent DNA degradation. 37 ± 39 Endonuclease G seems to be one of the proteins most abundantly released, as can be appreciated from the 15% Coomassie brilliant blue gel (Table 1 and Figure 2).…”

Regulation of Apoptotic Endonucleases by EndoG

“…This enzyme was first described by Ruiz-Carrillo and Renaud (1987) as an endonuclease with a unique site-selectivity and the ability to perform initial attacking of poly(dG) sequences in double-or single-stranded DNA. The EndoG gene in rodents and humans is a single copy gene, which consists of three exons (Prats et al, 1997). The level of EndoG expression widely varies between tissues.…”

“…The level of EndoG expression widely varies between tissues. The kidney is one of the primary organs of EndoG expression (Ruiz-Carrillo and Renaud, 1987;Prats et al, 1997). EndoG appears to be the most active endonuclease in cancer cells Hamada et al, 2006;Wang et al, 2008;Schneiders et al, 2009;Mercer et al, 2010).…”

Genetic association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in endonuclease G-like 1 gene with type 2 diabetes in a Japanese population

“…ENDOGL1 is a member of the DNA/RNA endonuclease family, including human [32], murine [33] and bovine [34] endonuclease G (ENDOG). The ENDOGL1 sequence shows 38.2, 37.1 and 36.5% amino acid identity to human, murine and bovine ENDOG, respectively.…”