Cloning and expression analysis of murine lupin, a member of a novel gene family that is conserved through evolution and associated with Lupus inclusions

We describe here the first full-length sequence of a member of a novel gene family encoding a protein in the mouse that we call Lupin. Lupin is homologous to a human protein previously called p36, which was purified from alpha-interferon-treated cells that formed lupus inclusions. Lupus inclusions are dense intracellular deposits found in endothelial cells and lymphocytes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosis and AIDS. Proteins closely related to Lupin exist in evolutionarily divergent species including Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila and zebrafish. At least one other lupin-related gene is expressed in the mouse and in man. Lupin is expressed in mouse embryos and adults, notably in liver, spleen, central nervous system, multiple epithelia and all types of muscle. In skeletal muscle, expression analysis suggests that Lupin associates with the contractile apparatus.

Synthesis and biological activity of semipeptoid farnesyltransferase inhibitors

Semipeptoids derived from the Ras farnesyl transferase inhibitor, CVFM, were synthesized by the Simultaneous Multiple Analogue Peptide Synthesis methodology. The semipeptoids were screened for their in vitro inhibition potency towards farnesyl transferase and geranylgeranyl transferase. Structure-activity relationship studies led to a potent and selective inhibitor, HR-11, which blocks Ras farnesylation in vitro with an IC50 of 1.2 nM. The cell permeable methyl ester derivative of HR-11, HR-12, inhibits Ras farnesylation in intact cells with an IC50 of 10 microM and with no detectable inhibition of Rap1A/K-rev geranyl-geranylation.