Alanyl tRNA Synthetase 2, Mitochondrial (AARS2)

By sequencing clones obtained from a size-fractionated adult brain cDNA library, Nagase et al. (1999) cloned AARS2, which they designated KIAA1270. The mRNA contains repetitive elements in its 3-prime end, and the deduced 986-amino acid protein shares 46% identity with human AARS. RT-PCR ELISA showed moderate to high expression of AARS2 in all adult and fetal tissues examined, with highest expression in ovary. Expression was high in all adult brain regions examined.

The deduced 985-amino acid protein has a 68-amino acid mitochondrial targeting signal, resulting in a mature protein of 917 amino acids. AARS2 is a class II amino acid tRNA synthetase, with a C-terminal active-site domain linked to an N-terminal anticodon-binding domain by a short hinge.