Molecular cloning, sequencing and structural studies of granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) from Indian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Summary Granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor ( GM ‐ CSF ) is a cytokine that is essential for growth and development of progenitors of granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages. In this study, we report molecular cloning, sequencing and characterization of GM ‐ CSF from Indian water buffalo, B ubalus bubalis . In addition, we performed sequence and structural analysis for buffalo GM ‐ CSF . Buffalo GM ‐ CSF has been compared with 17 mammalian GM ‐ CSF s using multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree. Three‐dimensional model for buffalo GM ‐ CSF and human receptor complex was built using homology modelling to study cross‐reactivity between two species. Detailed analysis was performed to study GM ‐ CSF interface and various interactions at the interface.