DXS6673E is a candidate gene for nonspecific X-linked mental retardation and encodes a novel Zn-finger protein. The ortholog murine gene DXHXS6673E in XC-D was isolated and characterized. It is ubiquitously expressed in all embryonic stages and adult tissues. Two different transcription start sites exist that result in two major transcripts of 6055 and 5352 nucleotides, each composed of 25 exons. Exon 1A is tissue specific, whereas exon 1B is transcribed constitutively. Both variants are translated into the same 1370-amino-acid protein. Transcripts are subject to alternative splicing at the 5'-end. Some of the isoforms are developmental stage and tissue specific. Among them, one was present only in embryos and adult brain. Sequence analysis demonstrated evolutionary conservation down to the arthropods and defined several conserved protein motifs. Subcellular localization studies with green fluorescent protein as a reporter showed that DXS6673E is predominantly located in the nucleus due to several functional nuclear localization signals. Three distinct protein distribution patterns in COS-7 cells could be identified.
Copyright 2000 Academic Press.