The new kallikrein-like gene, KLK-L2. Molecular characterization, mapping, tissue expression, and hormonal regulation.
Since in rodents the kallikreins are represented by a large multi-gene family, the restriction of this family in humans to three genes is somewhat surprising. In an effort to identify new human kallikrein genes, we examined a genomic area of about 300 kilobases on chromosome 19q13.3-q13.4, a region that contains most of the currently known kallikreins. By using the positional candidate approach, we were able to identify a new gene named KLK-L2 (for kallikrein- like gene 2). Screening of human EST libraries allowed us to delineate the full genomic and cDNA structure of the new gene. KLK-L2 consists of 5 coding exons and 4 introns and has significant similarities to other members of the kallikrein multi-gene family. Homology studies suggest that the protein is likely secreted. KLK-L2 is expressed mainly in breast, brain, and testis and to a lesser extent in many other tissues. KLK-L2 is up-regulated by estrogens and progestins in the breast cancer cell line BT-474.
Yousef
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GM
Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto M5G 1X5, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L5, Canada.
Diamandis
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EP
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002888:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19; D020224:Expressed Sequence Tags; D006801:Humans; D007610:Kallikreins / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
D007610:Kallikreins