High impact information on Plunc

• Based on these observations, we propose that we have identified a new gene, which we call plunc (for palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone; GenBankTM accession number U69172) [1].
• Cloning and expression of a mouse member of the PLUNC protein family exclusively expressed in tongue epithelium [2].
• LPlunc1 protein is secreted as a processed form of relative molecular mass 54K-60K and shares sequence features with the other members of BPI/PLUNC superfamily, including the N-terminal and C-terminal homology domains, each of which is considered to form a lipid binding pocket [3].
• Genomic organization of the mouse plunc gene and expression in the developing airways and thymus [4].
• Interestingly, ethanol significantly downregulated the plunc expression in GD 15 fetuses [5].

Biological context of Plunc

• METHODS: Plunc-EGFP plasmid was digested with XhoI, the purified linearized DNA fragments were recovered by gel extraction and diluted to the final concentration of 4 microg/ml, before introduced into fertilized one-cell mouse eggs by pronuclear microinjection [6].
• Our results suggest that ethanol-induced FAS is due in part to the downregulation of plunc expression in the fetus, and this gene may be a candidate biological marker for FAS [5].
• The human plunc gene contains nine exons and is localised to chromosome 20q11 [7].
• CONCLUSION: Specific nasopharynx tissue promoter plunc can effectively induce exogenous gene integration into the mouse genome [6].

Anatomical context of Plunc

• A recently identified mouse cDNA, plunc, appears to be confined to the upper airways and nasopharyngeal epithelium, and may prove a useful marker for these regions [4].
• Expression analysis by RT-PCR demonstrated a very high expression level of the porcine SPLUNC1 homologue in trachea and lung tissue only [8].
• SPLUNC1 is therefore believed to play a role in the innate immune system [8].
• PLUNC (palate, lung and nasal epithelium clone) is a small, secreted protein that is expressed in the oropharynx and upper airways of humans, mice and rats [9].
• OBJECTIVE: To construct the vector using specific nasopharynx tissue promoter plunc to establish transgeneic mouse model [6].

Associations of Plunc with chemical compounds

• The human plunc cDNA codes for a leucine-rich protein of 256 amino acids which is 72% identical to the murine protein [7].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of Plunc

• RT-PCR analysis revealed that normal plunc mRNA expression levels were present in GD 15 fetuses, but not in GD 10 embryos [5].
• Porcine SPLUNC1: molecular cloning, characterization and expression analysis [8].

References