Calmin (CLMN)

The deduced 1,002-amino acid CLMN protein shares 70% overall sequence identity with the mouse protein. Both proteins contain 2 closely arranged calponin homology (CH) domains in the N terminus and a transmembrane domain in the C terminus. Sequence analysis in both species indicated differential splicing resulting in several variants, some of which lack the transmembrane domain. By transfection experiments in COS-7 and NIH3T3 cells, the protein without the transmembrane domain was distributed homogeneously in the cytoplasm, whereas the protein with the transmembrane domain showed a reticular pattern. Northern blot analysis in mouse tissues detected highest expression of calmin in adult testis but also in embryonic skin and in adult liver, kidney, and large intestine.