Cloning, mapping, and expression analysis of a gene encoding a novel mammalian EGF-related protein (SCUBE1)

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) superfamily comprises a diverse group of proteins that function as secreted signaling molecules, growth factors, and components of the extracellular matrix, many with a role in vertebrate dev elopment. We have isolated a novel mammalian gene encoding an EGF-related p rotein with a CUB (C1s-like) domain that defines a new mammalian gene famil y. The Scube1 (signal peptide-CUB domain-EGF-related 1) gene was isolated f rom a developing mouse urogenital ridge cDNA library and is expressed promi nently in the developing gonad, nervous system, somites, surface ectoderm, and limb buds. We have mapped Scube1 to mouse chromosome 15 and show that i t is orthologous to a human gene in the syntenic region of chromosome 22q13 . me discuss the possible functions of this novel gene and its role in heri table disease in light of these data. (C) 2000 Academic Press.