Cloning and selective expression in brain and kidney of ARNT2 homologous to the Ah receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT).

Arnt2, a new member of the basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factor family, was cloned from rat brain cDNAs. Its deduced 712 amino acid sequence displays 63% identity with that of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (Arnt1) that was completely established. Whereas Arnt2 gene expression, established by Northern blotting and in situ hybridization histochemistry, occurred selectively in brain and kidney, that of Arnt1 was ubiquitous, suggesting that the two proteins play distinct roles, presumably via dimerization and DNA binding with different partners.