MOLECULAR-CLONING OF HUMAN RP105

RP105 is a 105-kDa type I membrane protein of the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) family. Anti-RP105 sensitizes B cells to antigen-receptor-mediat ed apoptosis, but protects B cells from radiation-induced apoptosis an d stimulates B cell proliferation. The sequence of the mouse RP105 has been reported. Here, we report the characterization of the human RP10 5. The 2.6-kb cDNA encodes a protein of 661 amino acids which displays 78 % homology with mouse RP105. The 22 LRR and the 9 potential N-link ed glycosylation sites within the extracellular region are conserved. While previous studies have shown that RP105 is expressed on surface I gM(+)IgD(++) B cells in mice, human RP105 was shown to be expressed on all subsets of mature B cells and dendritic cells. Human RP105 gene w as mapped to the long arm of chromosome 5, where numerous cytokines an d receptors have been localized.