Supernatant Protein Factor (SPF)

SEC14L2 stimulates squalene monooxygenase which is a downstream enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. The deduced 403-amino acid protein has a calculated molecular mass of about 46 kD and contains a conserved hydrophobic lipid-binding pocket called the CRAL (cis-retinal binding)/TRIO (triple function) domain.

Human and bovine TAP share about 84% amino acid identity. mRNA dot blot analysis detected broad tissue distribution, with highest expression in liver, prostate, and brain. Northern blot analysis detected a major transcript of 2.8 kb and 2 minor transcripts of approximately 4.2 and 2.8 kb expressed at highest levels in liver and brain and more weakly in kidney.