Molecular cloning and characterization of porcine ribosomal protein L21.

Ribosomal protein L21 (RPL21) is a structural component of the 60S subunit of the eukaryotic ribosome. This protein has an important role in protein synthesis and the occurrence of hereditary diseases. Pig is a common laboratory model, however, to the best of our knowledge, its gene has not been cloned to date. In this study, we cloned and identified the full-length sequence of the pig gene for the first time. In addition, we examined its expression pattern and function by using overexpression or knockdown approaches. As a result, we obtained a 604 bp segment that contains a 483 bp open reading frame encoding 160 amino acids. The pig gene is located in the "+" strand of chromosome 11, which spans 2167 bp from 4199792 to 4201958. Pig protein has nine strands and two helices in its secondary structure. Pig is predominantly expressed in ovary and lung, at lower levels in kidney, small intestine, and skin, and at the lowest levels in heart and liver. Furthermore, expression is closely connected with cell proliferation and cell cycle arrest. The results are intended to provide useful information for the further study of pig .