Cloning and characterization of human WDR10, a novel gene located at 3q21 encoding a WD-repeat protein that is highly expressed in pituitary and testis.
Members of the steroid-thyroid-retinoid receptor superfamily regulate a spectrum of cellular functions, including metabolism and growth and differentiation. We sought to isolate novel members of this family by using degenerate oligonucleotide primers directed to sequences encoding the AF-2 domain of these molecules in a PCR-based approach. The AF-2 domain serves a critical function in recruiting coregulatory molecules and in transcriptional activation. We report the cloning and initial characterization of a novel gene, WDR10, which encodes a 140-kD protein that is highly expressed in pituitary and testis. This protein, WDR10p, contains an AF-2 domain as well as seven N-terminal WD repeats and is highly conserved through evolution. Chromosomal localization studies placed WDR10 at 3q21, near a locus for the Moebius syndrome, Hailey-Hailey disease, and rhodopsin, which is involved in several forms of retinitis pigmentosa. The expression pattern of WDR10 and its chromosomal location makes this novel gene a candidate gene for the hypogonadism associated with some forms of retinitis pigmentosa and the Moebius syndrome.
Gross
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Endocrine Section, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA. cgross@calyxti.com
De Baere
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Lo
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Chang
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Messiaen
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D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002893:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D018076:DNA, Complementary; C422843:IFT122 protein, human; D011506:Proteins