A colleague had previously found that transfection of her gene of
interest (a human cell surface glycoprotein) into tumour cells
resulted in reduced cell motilty and increased cell adhesion in those
cells. The original analysis involved multiple unique clones, and the
effect on motility appeared to be related to the expressed level of
the protein. These transfections were done using a genomic clone for
the gene. However, the cDNA clone has since been obtained.
Transfecting cells with the cDNA results in comparable expression to
the genomic transfection, but while comparable effects are seen on
cell motility, no effect is seen on cell adhesion. This is obviously
interesting because this may distinguish between potentially different
functions of the protein.
My query concerns what are the possible or likely differences to be
seen when transfecting a genomic vs cDNA clone? What experiments could
or should be done to explain this phenomenon? Any advice would be
greatly appreciated.
Thanks RICK
The University of Newcastle, Australia
