Regulator Of G Protein Signaling 12 (RGS12)

RGS12 encodes a member of the 'regulator of G protein signaling' (RGS) gene family. The encoded protein may function as a guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase)-activating protein as well as a transcriptional repressor. This protein may play a role in tumorigenesis. Multiple transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been identified for this gene. Other alternative splice variants have been described but their biological nature has not been determined.The Rgs12 cDNA encodes a predicted 1,387-amino acid protein containing an N-terminal domain that is highly homologous to Rho-interacting mouse rhophilin, an RGS domain, and a C-terminal coiled-coil domain. Northern blotting showed that Rgs12 is expressed as multiple transcripts, with high levels in brain and lung and lower levels in testis, heart, and spleen.