Angiopoietin Like Protein 6 (ANGPTL6)

The deduced 470-amino acid protein has an N-terminal coiled-coil domain and a C-terminal fibrinogen-like domain, both of which are conserved in angiopoietins.Agf encodes a 457-amino acid protein that shares 74% identity with human AGF. Northern blot analysis detected 4.0- and 1.8-kb transcripts expressed abundantly in liver and weakly in heart, brain, lung, kidney, and testis. RT-PCR showed broad expression in hematopoietic cells, with abundant expression in CD41-positive megakaryocytes/platelets, hematopoietic stem cells, and mast cells. Western blot analysis of mouse tissues detected Agf at an apparent molecular mass of 50 kD predominantly in liver. Immunohistochemical analysis showed Agf expressed in hepatocytes. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining suggested that mast cells secrete Agf.