Ninjurin 2 (NINJ2)

The deduced 142-amino acid protein contains 2 hydrophobic regions, both of which are predicted to form transmembrane domains. NINJ2 shares 55% amino acid identity with NINJ1 and 73% identity with mouse Ninj2. RNA dot blot analysis showed highest expression in bone marrow, followed by peripheral leukocytes, lung, and lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical examination of rat tissues indicated expression in kidney glomeruli, the glomerular layer of the adrenal cortex, radial glial cells of the central nervous system, and several postmitotic sensory and enteric neurons. Transfection of CHO cells resulted in expression of a 20-kD NINJ2 protein. Immunostaining of nonpermeablized cells with antibody directed to an N-terminal peptide indicated that NINJ2 is expressed extracellularly.