OTU Domain Containing Protein 7B (OTUD7B)

The deduced protein contains more than 800 amino acids and has an N-terminal TRAF-binding domain, a putative nuclear localization signal, and a C-terminal A20-like zinc finger domain. Northern blot analysis detected a major 6-kb transcript in human epithelial cells and fibroblasts and in a liver carcinoma cell line. Epithelial cells and fibroblasts also expressed a minor 9.5-kb transcript. Both transcripts were detected in human tissues, with prominent expression in heart.

RT-PCR showed highest levels of Cezanne in kidney, heart, and fetal liver. Fluorescence-tagged Cezanne distributed diffusely within the cytoplasm of fibroblasts and epithelial cells and showed some nuclear staining in endothelial cells.