Cloning and study of new mammalian genes containing the region of structural homology with phage lysozyme

The mouse tag7 gene was cloned and characterized in our previous works. Thi s work is devoted to identifying and cloning its homologs. The human homolo g of the tag7 gene was cloned. Data of analysis of the primary structure of the human tag7 and results from the study of the production of the corresp onding protein in human organs and tissues indicate that this gene plays a major role in the mammalian immune system. The mouse and human tagL gene ca rrying an extended region of structural homology with the tag7 gene was det ected by computer analysis and was subsequently cloned. Sequence analysis s uggested the possible membrane localization of the gene, whereas the specif ic expression pointed to the role of this gene in the immune system. Both g enes, tag7 and tagL, were localized in the human chromosome 19.