Lipocalin 12 (LCN12)

Members of the lipocalin family, such as LCN12, have a common structure consisting of an 8-stranded antiparallel beta-barrel that forms a cup-shaped ligand-binding pocket or calyx. Lipocalins generally bind small hydrophobic ligands and transport them to specific cells. Suzuki et al. (2004) cloned mouse Lcn12, which encodes a deduced 193-amino acid protein. They identified human LCN12 by database analysis. Northern blot analysis detected Lcn12 expression in mouse epididymis only. Lcn12 expression was detected in mouse epididymis at all postnatal ages examined, with increased expression at 3 weeks of age.Suzuki et al. (2004) found that expression of Lcn12 in mouse epididymis decreased after castration and was restored by testosterone administration.