cDNA cloning, characterization and stable expression of novel human brain carboxylesterase

The DNA sequence encoding a novel human brain carboxylesterase (CFS) has been determined. The protein is predicted to have 567 amino acids, including conserved motifs, such as GE (S) under bar AGG, GXXXX (E) under bar FG, and GD (H) under bar GD which comprise a catalytic triad, and the endoplasmic reticulum retention motif (HXEL-COOH) observed in CES families. Their gene products exhibited hydrolase activity towards temocapril, p-nitrophenylacetate and long-chain acyl-CoA. Since the molecular masses of these gene products are similar to those that exist in capillary endothelial cells of the human brain [Yamamda et al, (1994) Brain Res. 658, 163-167], these CES isozymes may function as a blood-brain barrier to protect the central nervous system from ester or amide compounds. (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.