High impact information on Limk2

• The testes of Limk2-/- mice were smaller in size and partial degeneration of spermatogenic cells in the seminiferous tubules was apparent in association with increased apoptosis [1].
• However, Limk2-/- mice did not exhibit embryonic lethality or any phenotypic abnormalities in postnatal growth and development, except for spermatogenesis in the testis [1].
• Based on these findings, we propose that LIMK2, especially the testis-specific isoform tLIMK2, plays an important role in proper progression of spermatogenesis by regulation of cofilin activity and/or localization in germ cells [1].
• Impaired spermatogenic ability of testicular germ cells in mice deficient in the LIM-kinase 2 gene [1].
• Exon/intron boundaries of the mouse Limk2a gene are exactly conserved with those of the mouse Limk1 gene [2].

Biological context of Limk2

• The mouse Limk2a gene consists of at least 16 exons and spans more than 50 kb [2].
• Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis showed the Limk2 gene were mapped to mouse chromosome 1D [3].
• A novel transcript encoding truncated LIM kinase 2 is specifically expressed in male germ cells undergoing meiosis [4].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of Limk2

• Northern blot analysis showed Limk2a mRNA was ubiquitously present in various adult tissues, while Limbk2b was predominantly expressed in brain [3].

References