Ring Finger Protein 13 (RNF13)

RING finger protein 13 contains a RING zinc finger, a motif known to be involved in protein-protein interactions. The specific function of this gene has not yet been determined. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported. By subtractive hybridization to identify genes expressed in chicken embryo brain cells following attachment to the extracellular matrix molecule tenascin (TNC), Tranque et al. (1996) cloned chicken Rnf13, which they called Crzf. The deduced 381-amino acid protein contains an N-terminal leucine zipper motif, a central cysteine-rich C3HC4 zinc finger motif, and a C-terminal acidic region similar to transcription factor activation domains. Rnf13 also contains a nuclear localization signal. Immunofluorescence localization detected Rnf13 in the nucleus.