RoBo-1, a novel member of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor/CD59/Ly-6/snake toxin family selectively expressed in rat bone and growth plate cartilage.

Using differential display polymerase chain reaction, we cloned a novel cDNA named RoBo-1 from rat tibia. RoBo-1 is abundantly expressed in bone, including the hypertrophic chondrocytes of the growth plate where cartilage is remodeled into bone. RoBo-1 mRNA expression increased in response to two modulators of bone metabolism, estradiol and intermittent mechanical loading, suggesting a role in bone homeostasis. The 1.6-kilobase cDNA encodes a 240-amino acid protein with a cysteine spacing pattern, suggesting that RoBo-1 is a novel member of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor/CD59/Ly-6/snake toxin family. Furthermore, the C-terminal contains a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol attachment site, suggesting that it is a cell surface protein similar to other mammalian members of this family. The strongest homology of RoBo-1 is to the snake serum-derived phospholipase A2 inhibitors, which uniquely contain two of the cysteine domains but are secreted proteins. Interestingly, RoBo-1 is likely the first membrane-anchored member of this family containing two cysteine domains. Thus, the tissue specificity, responsiveness to bone protective mediators, along with its relationship to the multifunctional urokinase plasminogen activator receptor/CD59/Ly-6/snake toxin family suggests that RoBo-1 may play a novel role in the growth or remodeling of bone.