SNAP-23 has an important role in protein-trafficking processes in mammalian
cells and until yet two isoforms of SNAP-23 (SNAP-23a and SNAP-23b) have b
een described. In the present report, we have identified the existence of t
hree new SNAP-23 isoforms (named SNAP-23c, SNAP-23d, and SNAP-23e), which a
rise from alternative splicing. By RT-PCR all five splice variants were sho
wn to be expressed in four different human inflammatory cells (eosinophils,
basophils, neutrophils, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells). Transfect
ion of the human basophilic KU-812 cell line with plasmid constructs contai
ning the cDNAs of the five splice variants located SNAP-23a and SNAP-23b pr
imarily in the plasma membrane. The other three splice variants were locali
zed both intracellularly and in the plasma membrane. (C) 2001 Academic Pres
s.