Genetics
Cloning rabbit CETP reveals 81% homology to the human protein and liver-dominant tissue expression across primates and rabbit (J Lipid Res 1988)
Original title: Cloning and mRNA tissue distribution of rabbit cholesteryl ester transfer protein
Cloned cDNA and genomic sequences established the amino acid sequence of rabbit CETP as 496 residues, 81% homologous overall to the 476-residue human CETP, with two-thirds of substitutions conservative. Like human CETP, rabbit CETP is extremely hydrophobic, consistent with its role in neutral lipid transfer, implying extensive structural similarity between the two species' proteins. Rabbit CETP mRNA was estimated at 2.2 kilobases, 300 nucleotides longer than the human transcript, and contains the unusual polyadenylation signal AGTAAA. In rabbit, CETP mRNA was found mainly in liver with small amounts in adrenal gland and kidney, but unlike human spleen, rabbit spleen showed no detectable CETP mRNA. Northern blotting of liver RNA found significant CETP message in human, rhesus, and rabbit but undetectable levels in pig, mouse, and rat, matching each species' reported plasma transfer activity.
Original abstract
The amino acid sequence of rabbit cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) has been obtained from cloned cDNA and genomic sequences. The 496 amino acid rabbit CETP has an overall sequence homology of 81% compared to the 476 amino acid human CETP, with two-thirds of the amino acid substitutions being conservative. Like human CETP, rabbit CETP is extremely hydrophobic, which is consistent with its function in the transfer of neutral lipids. The data implies extensive structural similarity between rabbit and human CETP. Rabbit CETP mRNA is estimated to be 2.2 kilobases in size, 300 nucleotides longer than the corresponding human mRNA, and contains the unusual polyadenylation signal sequence AGTAAA. In rabbit, CETP mRNA is found mainly in the liver, with small amounts also present in adrenal glands and kidney. In contrast to human spleen, rabbit spleen does not have detectable amounts of CETP mRNA. Northern blot analysis of liver poly(A)+ RNAs revealed significant amounts of CETP message in human, rhesus, and rabbit, and undetectable levels in pig, mouse, and rat, in agreement with reported plasma levels of transfer activity.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.