Cloning and sequencing of the gene encoding the large (α‐) subunit of the proteasome from Thermoplasma acidophilum

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Abstract
The gene encoding the α‐subunit of the proteasome from Thermoplasma acidophilum was cloned and sequenced. The gene encodes for a polypeptide with 233 amino acid and reduces a calculated molecular weight of 25870. Sequence similarity of the α‐subunit with the Saccharomyces cerevislae wild‐type suppressor gene sell* encoded polypeptide, which is probably identical with the subunit YC7‐α of the yeast proteasome, lends support to a putative role of proteasomes in the regulation of gene expression. The significant sequence similarity to the various subunits of eukaryotic proteasomes make it likely that proteasomal proteins are encoded by one gene family of ancient origin.