Ion transporters and receptors in cDNA libraries from lens and cornea epithelia

Purpose. To construct tissue-specific cDNA libraries containing copies of genes of ion transporting and receptor proteins in lens and cornea epithelia. To screen the libraries for the cDNA of these molecules and to deduce the protein sequence from the cDNA sequence. Methods. Lens and corneal cDNA libraries are not commercially available and are difficult to prepare from microdissected single animal eyes or cadaver human eyes due to the small amount of tissue. To overcome these problems, we refined an approach for preparing high efficiency, non-PCR amplified plasmid cDNA libraries, where only nanogram quantities of poly (A) RNA are required. Plasmids were electrotransformed into DH10B bacteria and routinely yielded >10(6) independent colonies with typically >90% recombinants. Randomly selected colonies were subjected to colony PCR analysis to determine the libraries average insert size (typically approximate to 1-kb). Primers to known genes were used in PCR amplification to check for representation of the genes in the cDNA libraries. Results. Using libraries from rabbit cornea epithelium and endothelium, cultured human lens epithelium, and alpha TN4 cells, we have found the libraries to contain the cDNA for 3 common housekeeping proteins expected to be at high copy numbers in ail cells. In addition, we identified 22 rare proteins and for many we determined the complete coding regions. These include K+ channels, Cl- channels, Ca++ channels, Na+ channels, three exchangers, the Na+-HCO3- cotransporter, and three kinds of receptors. Conclusion. Cornea and lens libraries have been constructed from single cornea or lens preparations. The libraries often contain the cDNA sequences for ion transporting and receptor proteins which are expected to be relatively rare in these cells. Many of these cDNA's have now been sequenced and the encoded proteins identified.