Isolation of a cDNA clone for a catalytic subunit of Torpedo marmorata acetylcholinesterase

Abstract

We have constructed a cDNA library from Torpedo marmorata electric organ poly(A +) RNA in the lambda phage expression vector λgtll. This library has been screened with polyclonal anti-acetylcholinesterase antibodies. One clone, λAChEl, produced a fusion protein which was recognized by the antibodies and which prevented the binding of native acetylcholinesterase in an enzymatic immune assay. These results indicate that λAChEl contains a cDNA insert coding for a part of a catalytic subunit of Torpedo acetylcholinesterase. The 200-base-pair cDNA insert hybridized to three mRNAs (14.5, 10.5 and 5.5 kb) from Torpedo electric organs. These mRNAs were also detected in Torpedo electric lobes.