Chordin Like Protein 2 (CHRDL2)

The deduced 429-amino acid human protein shares 73% homology with the 426-amino acid mouse protein. CHL2 contains an N-terminal signal peptide, followed by 3 chordin (CHRD)-like cysteine-rich repeats (CR1 through CR3) and a C-terminal tail. Northern blot analysis detected high expression of a 2.0-kb CHL2 transcript in adult human uterus, with lower expression in colon, heart, prostate, stomach, and skeletal muscle. Expression was weak in placenta, testis, small intestine, trachea, and bone marrow, and no expression was detected in liver or kidney. In situ hybridization of mouse embryos showed that Chl2 expression was restricted to chondrocytes of developing joint cartilage. In adult mice, Chl2 expression was detected in connective tissues of reproductive organs, with highest expression in uterine myometrium.