Identification and characterization of a novel human nephronectin gene in silico

We describe the identification and characterization of a human epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like gene, nephronectin (NPNT), which encodes predicted proteins most homologous to the mouse nephronectin (Npnt). Human NPNT is located at the chromosomal position 4q25. Two transcript variants, NPNTa and NPNTb, are identified. Sequence comparison indicated that the human NPNT proteins share 88% amino acid identity with their mouse homologs. The in silico expression analysis showed the NPNT expression in a number of embryonic and adult tissues. NPNT was expressed in fetal ear, eye, heart, lung and kidney. In adults, the NPNT expression was widely found in lung, kidney, brain, uterus, placenta, thyroid gland and blood vessels. This gene is therefore implicated in embryonic development as well as maintenance of various adult tissues.