Genomic organization and chromosomal mapping of mouse nuclear factor kappaB 2 (NFKB2)

NFKB2 is a member of the NFKB/Rel gene family, which is known to be a pivot al regulator of the acute phase and immune responses. NF-kappa B2 is initia lly synthesized as a similar to 100 000 M-r protein which needs to be proce ssed in order to bind DNA, either as homodimer or as heterodimer with other members of the NF-kappa B/Rel family. The unprocessed form of NF-kappa B2 acts as an I kappa B-like protein. Therefore, NF-kappa B2 has a dual functi on. In this report we describe the genomic structure, expression pattern, a nd chromosomal localization of mouse NFKB2. Genomic clones were isolated, w hich span the entire gene of approximately 8.5 kilobases (kb) including 1.5 kb of the promoter region. Comparison to its human and avian homologues re vealed a strong evolutionary conservation of the gene structure including t he exon/intron borders, sequence, and position of the nuclear localization signal, the glycine-hinge region, and the ankyrin repeats. By fluorescence in situ hybridization, mouse NFKB2 was mapped to Chromosome (Chr) MMU 19C3- D2, which is homologous to human Chr 10q24, at which position the human NFK B2 was previously located. NFKB2 is ubiquitously expressed, highest in lymp h nodes and thymus, underlining its role in the immune function.