THE GENE OF THE PROTEASE INHIBITOR SKALP ELAFIN IS A MEMBER OF THE REST GENE FAMILY/

Members of the REST gene family characteristically have a transcriptio n unit consisting of three exons. The first and the last exon are cons erved among members, while the second exon-encoding almost all of the mature protein-differs considerably. These far known REST genes are hi ghly, and almost exclusively, expressed in the seminal vesicles. By se quence analysis we have now identified the gene for the protease inhib itor SKALP/ elafin as a new member of the REST gene family. The protei n is expressed in the epidermis and serves, like the product of severa l REST genes, as substrate for transglutaminase. We have also found wh at seems to be a locus encompassing both transglutaminases and REST ge nes centered around the region q12 on the human chromosome 20, raising the question whether the enzymes and substrates have evolved in paral lel. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.