Neuropeptide Q (NPQ)

C12ORF39 contains a typical amidation/proteolytic processing signal (Gly-Arg-Arg motif). Interestingly, C12ORF39 protein is not hydrolysed, but is a full-length protein without signal peptides. c-Myc-tagged C12ORF39 is secreted into culture medium in transfected HeLa cells.c12orf39 is mainly expressed in placenta and brain. Immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded human term placenta using a rabbit antibody against human C12ORF39 demonstrated that the protein was localized extracellularly, surrounding the trophoblastic cells.C12ORF39 secretion could be blocked by brefeldin A, suggesting that the secretion of C12ORF39 is dependent on the Golgi apparatus.C12ORF39 protein co-localized with the Golgi apparatus. C12ORF39 is not a secreted small peptide, it can also be secreted to play a role in the biological functions of the placenta.