F. Martin et al., Vanin genes are clustered (human 6q22-24 and mouse 10A2B1) and encode isoforms of pantetheinase ectoenzymes, IMMUNOGENET, 53(4), 2001, pp. 296-306
The mouse Vanin-1 molecule plays a role in thymic reconstitution following
damage by irradiation. We recently demonstrated that it is a membrane pante
theinase (EC 3.56.1.-). This molecule is the prototypic member of a larger
Vanin family encoded by at least two mouse (Vanin-1 and Vanin-3) and three
human (VNN1, VNN2, VNN3) orthologous genes. We now report (1) the structura
l characterization of the human and mouse Vanin genes and their organizatio
n in clusters on the 6q22-24 and 10A2B1 chromosomes, respectively; (2) iden
tification of the human VNN3 gene and the demonstration that the mouse Vani
n-3 molecule is secreted by cells, and (3) that the Vanin genes encode diff
erent isoforms of the mammalian pantetheinase activity. Thus, the Vanin fam
ily represents a novel class of secreted or membrane-associated ectoenzymes
. We discuss here their possible role in processes pertaining to tissue rep
air in the context of oxidative stress.