Molecular cloning and expression of subunit 12: a non-MCP and non-ATPase subunit of the 26 S protease.

A cDNA encoding subunit 12 (S12) of human erythrocyte 26 S protease has been isolated, sequenced and expressed. The cDNA contains an open reading frame that encodes a 36.6 kDA protein 96% identical to mouse Mov-34 and 67% identical to its Drosophila melanogaster homolog. Based on the high degree of sequence identity between human S12, mouse and Drosophila Mov-34 proteins, we conclude that the Mov-34 gene product is a component of the 26 S protease. Antibodies produced against two S12 fragments, Met1-Tyr95 (S12f95) and Met1-Leu205 (S12f205), react with S12 transferred to nitrocellulose from SDS-PAGE. In contrast, after transfer from native gels, the epitope(s) recognized by anti-S12f205 is exposed in the regulatory complex but appears to be masked when the regulatory complex associates with the multicatalytic protease.