Cloning of the human homologue of the TGF beta-stimulated clone 22 gene

We have isolated the human homologue of the TGF beta-stimulated clone 22 gene from a human embryo cDNA library. This gene maps to the q14 region of chromosome 13. Its deduced amino acid sequence is almost 99% identical to that of mouse or rat proteins and includes a putative leucine zipper motif. An abundant major transcript of 1.8 kb and in some instances an additional 5 kb transcript were detected by Northern blotting of several human tissues. The TSC-22 protein has been shown to be well conserved across evolution as evidenced by the existence of a Drosophila homologue. These observations prompt discussion on the strong conservation of TSC-22 during evolution but also on its general function as a primary response gene expressed either when stimulated by several different factors during early human development, or in the adult in response to inducing differentiation signals. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.