TNMD
Description
The TNMD (tenomodulin) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome X.
Tenomodulin, also known as tendin, myodulin, Tnmd, or TeM, is a protein encoded by the TNMD (Tnmd) gene. It was discovered in 2001 as a gene sharing high similarity with chondromodulin-1 (Chm1). Tenomodulin is a tendon-specific gene marker that plays a crucial role in tendon maturation. It is important for tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) and regulates endothelial cell migration in the heart and in tumor models. Tenomodulin is highly expressed in tendons, making it a marker gene for tendinous and ligamentous lineages.
Gene and protein structure:
Tenomodulin belongs to the type II transmembrane glycoprotein family. The gene is located on the X chromosome and produces a 1.4 kb transcript, encoding a protein of 317 amino acids. The gene consists of seven exons. The transmembrane domain is encoded by the second exon (amino acid positions 31-49), and there is no signal peptide. Tenomodulin contains a putative protease recognition sequence (Arg-Xxx-Xxx-Arg) at position 233-236. Unlike chondromodulin-1, Tenomodulin lacks a processing signal for furin protease. The extracellular portion, before the putative cleavage site, contains a BRICHOS extracellular domain found in other unrelated proteins.
TNMD is also known as BRICD4, CHM1L, TEM.
Associated Diseases
- arthrogryposis-hyperkeratosis syndrome, lethal form
- carpal tunnel syndrome 1
- cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome
- type 2 diabetes mellitus
- tendinitis
- BK-virus nephropathy