IDENTIFICATION AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF TM7SF2 IN THE FAUNA GENE-CLUSTER ON HUMAN-CHROMOSOME 11Q13

In this report, the identification and molecular characterization of a novel gene, designated TM7SF2, is reported. This gene was found in th e FAU neighboring area (FAUNA) to which other genes have been mapped p reviously. The FAUNA gene cluster is located at chromosome 11q13 betwe en landmarks H4B and D11S2196E. The TM7SF2 gene contains eight coding exons, and their splice site consensus sequences are consistent with t he AG/GT rule. Northern blot analysis with a cDNA probe corresponding to TM7SF2 revealed varying expression levels of a 1.7-kb transcript in adult human heart, brain, pancreas, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, kid ney, ovary, prostate, and testis, but no detectable expression in plac enta, spleen, thymus, small intestine, colon (mucosal lining), or peri pheral blood leukocytes. The open reading frame in the cDNA sequence c odes for a protein of 590 amino acids that is rich in glycine (23%) an d arginine (17%) residues in its amino-terminal half and contains seve n transmembrane domains in its carboxy-terminal half. The transmembran e region of the putative TM7SF2 protein shows amino acid sequence simi larity to those of the lamin B receptor and the C14/C24 sterol reducta se. (C) 1998 Academic Press.