Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone coding for rat brain myelin proteolipid.

A cDNA library from rat brain was constructed in pBR322 and screened with a 14-mer mixed oligonucleotide probe based on residues 231-235 of bovine proteolipid (PLP). A positive clone was isolated: it contained a 1334-base-pair cDNA insert and was subjected to DNA sequence analysis. The cDNA encoded information for the 276 amino acids of rat PLP. Comparison with bovine PLP sequence showed a complete amino acid sequence homology except for 4 amino acid residues.