Recombinant Pig Blood vessel epicardial substance (BVES)

Introduction

Blood Vessel Epicardial Substance (BVES), also known as POPDC1 (Popeye Domain Containing 1) or POP1, is a protein crucial in developing various tissues . BVES is expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscle and throughout the gastrointestinal epithelium . It functions as a cell adhesion molecule and is involved in maintaining tissue integrity and suppressing tumorigenesis . The recombinant form of pig BVES is produced for research purposes, allowing scientists to study its function and potential therapeutic applications in a controlled environment .

General Information

Production and Characteristics of Recombinant Pig BVES

Recombinant pig BVES is typically produced in E. coli and tagged with histidine (His) to facilitate purification . The protein consists of 360 amino acids and has a high purity level (greater than 90%) . The recombinant protein is stored as a lyophilized powder in a Tris/PBS-based buffer with trehalose to maintain stability . Researchers can reconstitute the protein in sterile water for experimental use .

Function and Significance

BVES, a member of the POP family of proteins, contains three putative transmembrane domains . It plays a crucial role in various cellular processes:

• Cell Adhesion: BVES functions as a cell adhesion molecule, which is essential for maintaining tissue structure and integrity .

• Cardiac Pacemaking: BVES is involved in cardiac pacemaking by modulating the affinity of cAMP interaction and interacting with the 2-pore domain potassium channel TREK-1 .

• Epithelial Integrity: BVES regulates epidermal tight junction integrity . Mice lacking BVES exhibit worse intestinal injury and inflammation, indicating its role in preserving epithelial phenotypes .

• Tumor Suppression: BVES is suppressed in gastrointestinal cancers, and its loss promotes tumor formation. BVES can regulate molecular pathways, including cAMP, WNT, and promoting the degradation of the oncogene, c-Myc .

Research Applications

Recombinant pig BVES is a valuable tool for various research applications:

• Protein Structure and Function Studies: Researchers use recombinant BVES to study the protein's structure, interactions, and functions in vitro .

• Drug Discovery: Recombinant BVES can screen potential therapeutic compounds that modulate BVES activity and target related diseases .

• Cell Signaling Pathways: Recombinant BVES is employed to investigate BVES-related cell signaling pathways and their roles in different physiological and pathological conditions .

• Understanding Disease Mechanisms: Studies using recombinant BVES can help elucidate the mechanisms underlying diseases related to BVES dysfunction, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases .

Role in Cardiovascular Function

BVES plays a significant role in cardiovascular function, particularly in cardiac pacemaking . Studies have identified a high-affinity cAMP binding domain within the POPEYE domain of BVES, which interacts with the 2-pore domain potassium channel TREK-1 . This interaction is sensitive to cAMP stimulation, suggesting that BVES recruits TREK-1 to the membrane to enhance current, modulated by cAMP levels . BVES knockout mice have impaired stress-induced bradycardia, indicating a sinus node defect .

BVES in Cancer Research

BVES is recognized as a tumor suppressor in gastrointestinal cancers . Its expression is often suppressed in cancerous tissues, and the loss of BVES promotes tumor formation . BVES regulates several molecular pathways, including promoting the degradation of the oncogene c-Myc .

BVES and Enterovirus

Research has identified recombinant enterovirus G (EV-G) viruses in pigs . Type 2 recombinant EV-Gs, which carry the torovirus PLCP gene, have been detected in pig farms . These viruses can undergo sequence changes over time due to persistent infection within pig farms or circulation between farms .