Cloning of cDNAs Encoding Multiple Subtypes of Feline Interferon-α from the Feline Epitherial Cell Line

Abstract

Mammalian interferon (IFN)-α consists of a 23-amino acid signal peptide and a 166-amino acid mature protein. Feline (Fe) IFN-α has an extra unique molecule consisting of a 171-amino acid mature protein with a 5-amino acid insertion. We cloned eight new subtypes of cDNA encoding FeIFN- α from a feline epithelial cell line. Among all the FeIFN-α subtypes, including six that have previously been reported, the variations were found to be far less than those of IFN-αs of other animals.