IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL RING-FINGER GENE (RNF4) MAPPING AT 4P16.3

We have isolated a new human RING-finger gene (RNF4) that encodes a 19 0-amino-acid protein. RNF4, in addition to the carboxyl-terminally loc ated RING-finger motif, contains two putative nuclear localization sig nals and stretches of acidic amino acids that are similar to the activ ation domains of some transcription factors. RNF4 was expressed at low levels in all human tissues examined, with the notable exception of v ery high expression in the testis. The mouse homolog of RNF4 was abund antly expressed in embryonic tissues from the earliest days postgestat ion and exhibited a ubiquitous pattern of expression as assessed by in situ hybridization. We have mapped RNF4 to 4p16.3, a chromosome regio n associated with several genetic and neoplastic diseases. RNF4 spans 47 kb, is composed of eight exons, and maps immediately proximal to th e anonymous locus D45183, between the huntingtin (HD) and the fibrobla st growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) genes. (C) 1998 Academic Press.