Rhombotin Like Protein 1 (RHOM2)

LMO2 encodes a cysteine-rich, two LIM domain protein that is required for yolk sac erythropoiesis. The LMO2 protein has a central and crucial role in hematopoietic development and is highly conserved. The LMO2 transcription start site is located approximately 25 kb downstream from the 11p13 T-cell translocation cluster (11p13 ttc), where a number T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia-specific translocations occur.

Human and mouse RHOM2 are highly conserved and, like rhombotin, encode 2 tandem cysteine-rich LIM domains. Northern blot analysis showed that Rhom2 mRNA was expressed in early mouse development and in adult central nervous system, lung, kidney, liver, and spleen, but only at low levels in thymus.