Thyroid Hormone Receptor Associated Protein 2 (THRAP2)

The evolutionarily conserved THRAP genes encode a family of proteins that regulate embryonic development. THRAP2 is involved in early development of the heart and brain.The deduced 2,210-amino acid protein contains 2 LxxLL motifs, which are predicted to mediate nuclear hormone receptor binding. THRAP2 shares 51% amino acid identity with THRAP1 overall, and more than 70% identity in 5 subregions. The mouse and human THRAP2 proteins share 92% homology. Northern blot analysis detected a 9.5-kb transcript in nearly all adult and fetal tissues examined, with highest expression in fetal brain and adult brain, heart, skeletal muscle, kidney, placenta, and peripheral blood leukocytes. Within specific heart structures, highest expression was in aorta; within specific brain regions, highest expression was in cerebellum.