Actin Related Protein 3B (ACTR3B)

ARP3beta gene was mapped to chromosome band 7q34, centromeric to Sonic Hedgehog. at least part of the observed ARP3beta mRNA heterogeneity is caused by alternative splicing resulting in exon skipping. Several ARP3beta mRNA species were detected by Northern blotting and their abundance varied importantly among tissues: the highest expression levels were detected in fetal and adult brain, whereas lower levels were observed in liver, muscle and pancreas. In contrast, ARP3 mRNAs were detected in all tissues tested. Using in situ hybridization, the expression of ARP3beta in brain was shown to be restricted to neurons and epithelial cells from choroid plexus. This suggests a specific function for ARP3beta in the physiology of the development and/or maintenance of distinct subsets of nerve cells.