Search for the Function of NWC, Third Gene Within RAG Locus: Generation and Characterization of NWC-Deficient Mice

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz). 2016 Aug;64(4):311-9. doi: 10.1007/s00005-015-0379-1. Epub 2015 Dec 24.

Abstract

NWC is a third gene within recombination activating gene (RAG) locus, which unlike RAG genes is ubiquitously expressed and encodes a unique protein containing three strongly evolutionarily conserved domains not found in any other known protein. To get insight into its function we identified several proteins co-immunoprecipitating with NWC protein and generated new NWC-deficient mice. Here, we present evidence that unlike many other ubiquitously expressed evolutionarily conserved proteins, functional inactivation of NWC does not cause any gross developmental, physiological or reproductive abnormalities and that under physiological conditions NWC may be involved in assembling and functioning of cilia, cell surface organelles found on nearly every eukaryotic cell.

Keywords: Cilia; Evolutionarily conserved genes; NWC protein function/partners; NWC-knockout mice; Recombination activating gene (RAG) locus.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genes, RAG-1*
  • Genotype
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout*
  • Models, Genetic
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Phenotype
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins