Research Article

Molecular cloning, tissue expression pattern, and copy number variation of porcine SCUBE3

Published: February 05, 2016
Genet. Mol. Res. 15(1): gmr7010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr.15017010
Cite this Article:
X. Liu, L.G. Wang, L.C. Zhang, H. Yan, K.B. Zhao, J. Liang, N. Li, L. Pu, T. Zhang, L.X. Wang, X. Liu, L.G. Wang, L.C. Zhang, H. Yan, K.B. Zhao, J. Liang, N. Li, L. Pu, T. Zhang, L.X. Wang (2016). Molecular cloning, tissue expression pattern, and copy number variation of porcine SCUBE3. Genet. Mol. Res. 15(1): gmr7010. https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr.15017010
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Abstract

The signal peptide CUB EGF-like domain-containing protein 3 (SCUBE3) gene is a member of SCUBE gene family and plays important roles in bone cell biology and the determination of limb bone length. In this study, the full-length transcript of porcine SCUBE3 was cloned using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The full-length sequence of porcine SCUBE3 cDNA was 4131 base pairs and included 21 exons. The SCUBE3 gene contained a 2895-base pair open reading frame that encoded a peptide of 965 amino acids. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of porcine SCUBE3 with those of human, mouse, zebrafish, and rat showed 96, 95, 73, and 95% identities, respectively. Porcine SCUBE3 mRNA expression levels were highest in the backfat, bone marrow, and cartilage tissues. Copy number variation was detected in porcine SCUBE3 and validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Different copy number variations were present in randomly selected individuals and may, therefore, be a good marker for identifying phenotypic traits. Our findings provide a basis for further investigation of the functions and regulatory mechanisms of SCUBE3 in pigs.

The signal peptide CUB EGF-like domain-containing protein 3 (SCUBE3) gene is a member of SCUBE gene family and plays important roles in bone cell biology and the determination of limb bone length. In this study, the full-length transcript of porcine SCUBE3 was cloned using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The full-length sequence of porcine SCUBE3 cDNA was 4131 base pairs and included 21 exons. The SCUBE3 gene contained a 2895-base pair open reading frame that encoded a peptide of 965 amino acids. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of porcine SCUBE3 with those of human, mouse, zebrafish, and rat showed 96, 95, 73, and 95% identities, respectively. Porcine SCUBE3 mRNA expression levels were highest in the backfat, bone marrow, and cartilage tissues. Copy number variation was detected in porcine SCUBE3 and validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Different copy number variations were present in randomly selected individuals and may, therefore, be a good marker for identifying phenotypic traits. Our findings provide a basis for further investigation of the functions and regulatory mechanisms of SCUBE3 in pigs.