Cloning and expression of the cDNA for mouse NAD(+)-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase.

The cDNA for mouse NAD+ dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) was isolated from a lung cDNA library. The cDNA contains a 798 bp open reading frame that codes for a protein of 266 amino acids (M(r) 28775) which shares 87% identity with the human 15-PGDH protein. The regions that are believed to form the NAD+ binding site and the active site are conserved in the mouse and human enzymes. The authenticity of the mouse cDNA was confirmed by expression of an active 15-PGDH in Escherichia coli. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that 15-PGDH mRNA is expressed primarily in lung, intestine, stomach and liver.