Ras Like Without CAAX 2 (RIT2)

The deduced human protein contains 217 amino acids and shares 91% identity with mouse Rin. Human and mouse RIN have 5 highly conserved domains characteristic of small G proteins, but they lack the C-terminal CAAX prenylation motif found in several other RAS-like proteins. Northern blot analysis of several mouse tissues detected a 2.0-kb transcript only in retina and brain. RT-PCR detected RIN in human retina mRNA. In situ hybridization of mouse retina detected Rin in the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers, but it was absent from photoreceptors. Some ganglion cells showed abundant Rin expression, whereas others, even adjacent cells, did not. In brain, Rin expression was widespread but variable, with moderate expression in the majority of neurons throughout the diencephalon, midbrain, and hindbrain.