MT-RNR2 Like Protein 4 (MTRNR2L4)

MTRNR2L4 Belongs to the humanin family.Highly expressed in testis. Also expressed in kidney, heart, skeletal muscles and brain. Humanin (HN) is a recently identified neuroprotective and antiapoptotic peptide derived from a portion of the mitochondrial MT-RNR2 gene. The existence of 13 MT-RNR2-like nuclear loci predicted to maintain the open reading frames of 15 distinct full-length HN-like peptides. At least ten of these nuclear genes are expressed in human tissues, and respond to staurosporine (STS) and beta-carotene. Sequence comparisons of the nuclear HN isoforms and their homologues in other species reveal two consensus motifs, encompassing residues 5–11 (GFS/NCLLL), and 14–19 (SEIDLP/S). Proline vs serine in position 19 may determine whether the peptide is secreted or not, while threonine in position 13 may be important for cell surface receptor binding.