Jain et al. (1996) identified a member of the LIM family, which they termed SmLIM for 'smooth muscle LIM-containing protein,' by hybridization screening using the rat homolog as probe, and then cloned the gene from an aortic cDNA library. SmLIM encodes a polypeptide containing 2 LIM domains and a putative nuclear localization signal. Immunolocalizationshowed that the protein is found in the nucleus of transfected cells. Northern blotting revealed that SmLIM is expressed in smooth muscle tissue, particularly the aorta. In situ hybridization revealed that SmLIM is expressed preferentially in arterial smooth muscle cells.
NCBI Summary:
CSRP2 is a member of the CSRP family of genes, encoding a group of LIM domain proteins, which may be involved in regulatory processes important for development and cellular differentiation. CRP2 contains two copies of the cysteine-rich amino acid sequence motif (LIM) with putative zinc-binding activity, and may be involved in regulating ordered cell growth. Other genes in the family include CSRP1 and CSRP3.
General function
Comment
There are approximately 40 known eukaryotic LIM proteins, so named for the LIM domains they contain. LIM domains are highly conserved cysteine-rich structures containing 2 zinc fingers . Although zinc fingers usually function by binding to DNA or RNA, the LIM motif probably mediates protein-protein interactions.
Cellular localization
Nuclear
Comment
Ovarian function
Unknown
Comment
Expression regulated by
Comment
Ovarian localization
Comment
This gene was found in a rat ovarian cDNA library (Unigene)