ALS2 C-Terminal Like Protein (ALS2CL)

The human and mouse ALS2CL genes encode deduced proteins of 108 kD and contain 953 and 952 amino acids, respectively, that share 81% sequence identity. Both proteins share high homology with the C-terminal portion of ALS2 and contain MORN and VPS9 domains. Northern blot analysis detected a major ALS2CL transcript of approximately 5 kb in various human tissues, with highest expression in heart and kidney, as well as the presence of multiple alternative transcripts. A single 5-kb transcript was detected in various adult mouse tissues, with highest expression in liver. Transfection experiments in HeLa cells showed localization of ALS2CL throughout the cells, with strong punctated staining in the cytoplasm. Mouse Als2cl showed a similar distribution.