The primary structure of the murine multifinger gene mKr2 and its specific expression in developing and adult neurons

The complete amino acid sequence of the murine finger-containing gene mKr2 was determined. On the basis of sequence similarities in the repeated finger domain, mKr2 belongs to the same class of developmentally expressed genes as Drosophila Krüppel and hunchback. The presence of metal ion and DNA-binding finger domains similar to those identified in TFIIIA supports the hypothesis that these genes regulate transcription. mKr2 transcripts are restricted to neurons in the central and peripheral nervous system of adult animals. Furthermore, mKr2 transcripts can be detected in all the major structures of the developing nervous system during embryogenesis. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that mKr2 is a regulatory factor required for the differentiation and/or phenotypic maintenance of neurons.