Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Induced Protein 3 Interacting Protein 3 (TNIP3)

Using differential display RT-PCR, followed by 5-prime and 3-prime RACE, Staege et al. (2001) isolated a cDNA encoding TNIP3, which they called LIND, that was upregulated in monocytes infected with Listeria monocytogenes.The predicted 325-amino acid protein contains 3 coiled-coil domains and is most likely localized to the nucleus. The authors identified potential splice sites that would result in variants with different C termini. Northern blot analysis detected 1.7- and 2.4-kb transcripts in Listeria-infected monocytes, but not in uninfected controls. RT-PCR analysis showed highest expression in lung, lymph node, thymus, and fetal liver, with lower levels in brain, spleen, leukocytes, and tonsils. Northern blot analysis of multiple tissues showed no expression.