Identification, chromosomal mapping, and partial characterization of mouseInsl6: A new member of the insulin family

A new member of the mouse insulin family, Insl6, was identified from mouse expressed sequence tags through the use of bioinformatics. A full length cD NA was sequenced and predicts a protein of 191 amino acids. The protein con tains a signal peptide and has A and B peptides as well as a connecting pep tide consistent with the contention that it is a member of the insulin fami ly. Northern analysis demonstrates that the primary site of expression is t he testis, but message is also found in the kidney, small bowel, heart, bra in and thymus. The gene was mapped to mouse chromosome 19 by radiation hybr id mapping. The chromosomal location and primary structure of this protein suggest a functional relationship to relaxin and relaxin-related proteins.