Molecular cloning and characterization of amida, a novel protein which interacts with a neuron-specific immediate early gene product arc, contains novel nuclear localization signals, and causes cell death in cultured cells

Amida was isolated by the yeast two-hybrid system as a novel protein which associated with Are, a non-transcriptional immediate early gene specific to the brain. Amida was confirmed to be associated with Are in vitro and in vivo. Amida shows no homology to known proteins. Amida is ubiquitously expressed, although it is abundant in the brain. A transfection study revealed that Amida was localized in the nucleus and after 72 h the transfected cells underwent apoptosis, Furthermore, we found two nuclear localization signals and a domain needed for interacting with Are was encompassed by two nuclear localization signals. Co-transfection experiment with Amida and Are suggested that Amida transported Are into the nucleus and negatively regulated Amida-induced cell death. These results indicate that Are together with Amida may modulate cell death in the brain.