Background: Three functionally distinct tryptases have been identified in t
he mouse, one of which encodes an unusual protease that possesses a membran
e-spanning domain located in its C terminus.
Methods and Results: Using the deduced nucleotide sequence of this mouse tr
ansmembrane tryptase (mTMT) gene in a polymerase chain reaction approach, c
DNAs were isolated from a number of tissues which encode its human homolog,
The amino acid sequences of hTMT and mTMT are 74% identical, and the human
tryptase also has the novel membrane-spanning domain.
Conclusion: The discovery that the human genome contains a large number of
homologous, but distinct, tryptase genes suggests that the individual membe
rs of this family of proteases evolved to carry out discrete functions in m
ast cell-mediated allergic reactions.