The product of the ATM gene is a 370-kDa nuclear phosphoprotein.
Neuronal degeneration, gonadal abnormalities, and immune deficiency are some of the major manifestations of the hereditary disease ataxia telangiectasia, which is caused by mutations in a single gene, designated ATM. Here we show that the product of the ATM gene is a 370-kDa nuclear phosphoprotein. Because ATM knockout mice recapitulate the clinical symptoms of the human disease, we have examined ATM gene expression in mice. In mouse embryos at gestation day 13.5, ATM mRNA is expressed ubiquitously, with high levels detected in the nervous system and lung. Elevated ATM mRNA levels were also found in the thymus of mouse embryos at gestation day 18.5, a time when V(D)J recombination is occurring. In adult mice, ATM protein was detected in all tissues examined and was present at elevated levels in the testis, spleen, and thymus. The ATM expression pattern and the nuclear localization of the ATM protein are consistent with the proposed function of ATM in the activation of cell cycle checkpoints, DNA repair, and genetic recombination.
Chen
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Department of Molecular Medicine/Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78245, USA. Leee@uthscsa.edu
Lee EYHP
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D064007:Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D016350:Leucine Zippers; D051379:Mice; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D010770:Phosphotransferases / Q000737:chemistry*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D010770:Phosphotransferases; C576324:ATM protein, human; D064007:Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; C576325:Atm protein, mouse; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases