MOLECULAR-CLONING OF HUMAN FRIZZLED-6

The Frizzled genes encode receptors for WNTs, secreted glycoproteins i mplicated in development as well as in carcinogenesis. In this paper, we report molecular cloning of Hfz6, the human homologue of Mfz6. Nucl eotide sequence analysis showed that the Hfz6 gene encodes the 706 ami no-acid protein with seven transmembrane domains, a cystein-rich domai n in the N-terminal extracellular region, two N-linked glycosylation s ites, and two cystein residues in the second and third extracellular l oops. Hfz6 mRNA 4.4-kb in size was detected in various normal adult an d fetal tissues, and a larger amount of Hfz6 mRNA was detected in both fetal lung and fetal kidney. The Hfz6 gene has been mapped to human c hromosome 8q22.3-q23.1. In conclusion, we have cloned Hfz6, which enco des a seven-transmembrane receptor with the cystein-rich domain in the N-terminal extracellular region, but without the Ser/Thr-X-Val motif in the C-terminus. (C) 1998 Academic Press.