Cloning and characterization of two cytoplasmic dynein intermediate chain genes in mouse and human

Cytoplasmic dynein is a large multisubunit microtubule-based motor protein, which mediates movement of numerous intracellular organelles. We report he re the identification of the human homologue of cytoplasmic dynein intermed iate chain 1 gene (DNCI1) located on human chromosome 7q21.3-q22.1. The mou se orthologue (Dnci1) was identified along with another highly related gene , Dnci2, and their RNA in situ expression patterns were examined during mou se embryogenesis. Dnci1 was found to have a highly restricted expression do main in the developing forebrain as well as the peripheral nervous system ( PNS), while Dnci2 displayed a broad expression profile throughout the entir e central nervous system and most of the PNS. A dynamic expression profile was also found for Dnci2 in the developing mouse limb bud. The data present ed here provide a framework for the further analysis of the functional role of Dnci1 and Dnci2 in mouse and DNCI1 in human. (C) 1999 Academic Press.