Chromosomal localization of two mouse genes encoding thymus-specific serine peptidase and thymus-expressed acidic protein

• Published in: Immunogenetics (New York) 2000-09, Vol.51 (11), p.984-986
• Main Authors: Carrier, A, Wurbel, M A, Mattei, M G, Kissenpfennig, A, Malissen, M, Malissen, B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acidic protein; Animals; Chromosome Mapping - methods; Endopeptidases - genetics; Humans; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence - methods; Mice; Proteins - genetics; Serine Endopeptidases; serine peptidase; Thymus Gland - enzymology; Thymus Gland - physiology; thymus-expressed acidic protein; thymus-specific serine peptidase
• ISSN: 0093-7711; 1432-1211
• DOI: 10.1007/s002510000230

The thymus is the main site of T-cell development. After entering the thymus, bone marrow-derived precursor cells develop through discrete stages. At the end of that developmental sequence, they leave the thymus to reach peripheral lymphoid organs. The thymic stromal environment, made of epithelial cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, provides developing T cells with essential extracellular matrix components, cell surface ligands, and secreted cytokines. Conversely, the architecture and function of the thymic stroma is markedly influenced by signals emanating from developing T cells (review in Anderson et al. 1996; Goverman et al. 1997). We recently reported the characterization of novel mouse genes plausibly involved in the function of the thymus (Carrier et al. 1999; Wurbel et al. 2000). One of these genes is specifically expressed in thymic cortical epithelial cells, and encodes a putative serine peptidase (thymus-specific serine peptidase, TSSP; Carrier et al. 1999). Another is strongly expressed in cortical thymocytes and in many other tissues. It encodes an acidic protein (thymus-expressed acidic protein, TEAP) that displays not detectable homology with any known proteins (Carrier et al. 1999).