Cloning and characterization of TNKL, a member of tankyrase gene family

By serological screening of a breast tumor cDNA library we have identified a novel human gene, tnkl. encoding an ankyrin-related protein with a high degree of similarity to tankyrase, the poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase associated with human telomeres (Smith et al, Science 282. 1484). The tnkl gene maps to chromosome 10, while the tnks gene encoding tankyrase is located on chromosome 8. The predicted 1166-aa protein product of the tnkl gene is 78% identical to human tankyrase and 62% to a putative D. melanogaster protein. Since the proteins have essentially identical domain structures, the corresponding genes form a distinct gene family. The possible link between TNKL and cancer justifies its further functional analysis. Genes and Immunity (2001) 2, 52-55.