Midnolin (MIDN)

Tsukahara et al. (2000) identified the murine Midn gene using a gene trap method. By screening an embryonic mouse cDNA library, they obtained Midn cDNA clones predicted to encode a 508-amino acid protein containing a ubiquitin-like domain. RT-PCR and whole-mount in situ hybridization analyses detected strong expression of Midn during embryogenesis in the mesencephalon from embryonic day 11.5 to 12.5. At day 12.5, weaker and more widespread expression was detected in various cell types. Tsukahara et al. (2000) localized Midn to the nucleus and nucleolus and identified a C-terminal 28-amino acid peptide important for nucleolar localization. They concluded that Midn is involved in the regulation of genes related to neurogenesis in the nucleolus.