Intraflagellar Transport Protein 172 (IFT172)

Rat Slb specifically binds to Lhx3 and Lhx4 with high affinity both in vitro and in vivo. Expression of the LIM-interacting domain of Slb reduced the expression of an Lhx3-responsive reporter gene.The 1,749-amino acid protein contains 7 N-terminal WD40 repeats and a nuclear localization signal. Highest expression was found in rat testis and pituitary cells.

The deduced protein contains 1,090 amino acids and shares significant homology with the kinesin light chain repeat sequence. RT-PCR analysis revealed highest expression of SLB in testis and lowest expression in spleen. All other tissues and brain regions tested showed low-to-moderate expression.