Open AccessCloning and characterization of the mammalian‐specific nicolin 1 gene ( NICN1 ) encoding a nuclear 24 kDa protein
Author(s) -
Backofen Bianca,
Jacob Ralf,
Serth Katrin,
Gossler Achim,
Naim Hassan Y,
Leeb Tosso
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
european journal of biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1432-1033
pISSN - 0014-2956
DOI - 10.1046/j.1432-1033.2002.03232.x
Subject(s) - cloning (programming) , gene , molecular cloning , genetics , biology , computational biology , microbiology and biotechnology , peptide sequence , computer science , programming language
We have identified a novel mammalian gene, termed nicolin 1 gene ( NICN1 ), that is present in human, dog and mouse, whereas it is absent from the available genome sequences of nonmammalian organisms. The NICN1 gene consists of six exons and spans about 6 kb of genomic DNA. It encodes a 213 amino acid protein that does not belong to any known protein family. Experiments using green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged nicolin 1 fusion proteins indicate that nicolin 1 is a nuclear protein. Northern analysis and semiquantitative RT‐PCR demonstrated that the 2.5 kb NICN1 mRNA is expressed in a tissue‐specific manner. The highest NICN1 expression levels are found in brain, testis, liver, and kidney. On the other hand the NICN1 expression is weak in spleen, leukocytes, small intestine and colon. The NICN1 gene is also expressed during development.