Dynein, Cytoplasmic 1, Light Intermediate Chain 2 (DYNC1LI2)

Dyneins are a group of microtubule-activated ATPases that serve to convert chemical energy into mechanical energy. They have been divided into 2 large subgroups, namely, the axonemal and cytoplasmic dyneins.

By screening a rat brain cDNA library using oligonucleotide probes based on purified calf brain cytoplasmic dynein, Hughes et al. (1995) cloned rat Dync1li2, which they called Lic2. The deduced 497-amino acid protein contains a putative N-terminal nucleotide-binding P-loop sequence and shares similarity with the ABC transporter (see 600046) family of ATPases. Northern blot analysis of rat tissues detected high expression in skeletal muscle, testis, heart, lung, and brain, and lower expression in liver, kidney, and spleen.