Identification and Molecular Characterization of TM7SF2in the FAUNA Gene Cluster on Human Chromosome 11q13

Abstract

In this report, the identification and molecular characterization of a novel gene, designated TM7SF2,is reported. This gene was found in the FAUneighboring area (FAUNA) to which other genes have been mapped previously. The FAUNA gene cluster is located at chromosome 11q13 between landmarks H4B and D11S2196E. The TM7SF2gene contains eight coding exons, and their splice site consensus sequences are consistent with the AG/GT rule. Northern blot analysis with a cDNA probe corresponding to TM7SF2revealed varying expression levels of a 1.7-kb transcript in adult human heart, brain, pancreas, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney, ovary, prostate, and testis, but no detectable expression in placenta, spleen, thymus, small intestine, colon (mucosal lining), or peripheral blood leukocytes. The open reading frame in the cDNA sequence codes for a protein of 590 amino acids that is rich in glycine (23%) and arginine (17%) residues in its amino-terminal half and contains seven transmembrane domains in its carboxy-terminal half. The transmembrane region of the putative TM7SF2 protein shows amino acid sequence similarity to those of the lamin B receptor and the C14/C24 sterol reductase.