Lunapark (LNP)

The 3-prime UTR contains several repetitive elements, and the deduced protein contains 429 amino acids. RT-PCR ELISA detected high expression in brain, skeletal muscle, fetal liver, and fetal brain, and intermediate levels in all other tissues examined. Intermediate to high levels were detected in all specific adult brain regions examined.

By searching for genes near the HOXD gene cluster in mouse and human, Spitz et al. (2003) identified a gene they named Lunapark after the conserved peptide LNPARK in the deduced protein. In situ hybridization of mouse embryos detected strong staining in limb and genital buds and weak staining in all other tissues. Expression was first seen at embryonic day 10.5. Similar staining of developing digits was seen in embryonic chicken.