Serine Peptidase Inhibitor Kazal Type 2 (SPINK2)

Using biochemical purification and peptide sequencing, Fink et al. (1990) determined that SPINK2, which they called HUSI-II, is a Kazal-type inhibitor. By screening a seminal vesicle cDNA library, Moritz et al. (1991) obtained a full-length cDNA encoding SPINK2.

Sequence analysis predicted that the 84-amino acid protein contains a 23-residue signal peptide. Northern blot analysis revealed expression of a 0.6-kb transcript in testis, epididymis, and seminal vesicle, but not in prostate. By Southern blot analysis and genomic sequence analysis, Moritz et al. (1993) determined that SPINK2 is a single-copy gene containing a GC-rich promoter region, 3 introns, and 4 exons, a structure identical to other Kazal-type inhibitors.