Identification and localization of the FMR-1 protein product

The fragile X syndrome results from amplification of the CGG repeat found in the FMR-1 gene. As a first step in the identification and localization of the FMR-1 gene product, antibodies were raised against different regions of the FMR-1 protein (FMRP). These antibodies were used to analyze FMRP in lymphoblastoid cell lines from patients (n=5) and controls (n=3). FMRP was immunoprecipated and subsequently analyzed by immunoblotting. Four molecular species (67-74 kDa) were found which were absent in 4 of the 5 patients. The lack is in agreement with the absence of FMR-1 mRNA. The patient expressing FMRP`s shows a mosaic DNA pattern with part of the cells carrying a premutation and others carrying a full mutation. The premutation allele is preceded by an unmethylated CpG island and is expressed into FMR-1 mRNA which is subsequently translated into protein. The four different FMRPs most likely result from alternative splicing of the FMR-1 mRNA. Two splice products were mimicked in cDNA constructs transiently expressed in COS-1 cells. Both splice products appeared to encode for stable protein products and were recognized by the antibodies. The molecular weight of the protein products was in agreement with two of the protein products found in themore » lymphoblastoid cell lines, indicating that the FMRPs detected in lymphoblasts are the result of alternative splicing. The intracellular localization of FMRP in COS-1 cells was cytoplasmatic. The finding of four FMRPs of the same molecular weight in controls and the mosaic patient indicate that the CGG repeat is not translated.« less