Molecular and functional analysis of Popeye genes: A novel family of transmembrane proteins preferentially expressed in heart and skeletal muscle.

Popeye (Pop) genes encode novel transmembrane proteins, of which three family members are present in vertebrates, while in Drosophila a single gene is found. By northern blot analysis a restricted expression pattern is observed; Pop genes are predominantly expressed in the heart, skeletal and smooth muscle. Using homologous recombination, a null mutation was generated in the case of Pop1. The homozygous mutants are viable and do not display any obvious phenotype. They display an impaired ability to regenerate skeletal muscle while the hypertropic response of the heart after isoproterenol infusion revealed no difference between genotypes. Recently a function for Pop1 as a prototype of a novel class of cell adhesion molecules was proposed. Further work is required to substantiate these findings and to extend it to other members of the family.