Abhydrolase Domain Containing Protein 2 (ABHD2)

ABHD2 encodes a protein containing an alpha/beta hydrolase fold, which is a catalytic domain found in a very wide range of enzymes. The function of this protein has not been determined. Alternative splicing of this gene results in two transcript variants encoding the same protein.

The protein has a central core predicted to form alpha/beta hydrolase folds and has a ser-ala-his catalytic triad characteristic of peroxidases. By database analysis, the authors identified human ABHD2, which encodes a deduced 425-amino acid protein that shares 99% amino acid identity with mouse Abhd2. Real-time PCR detected Abhd2 in all adult mouse tissues examined, with highest expression in testis. Abhd2 was also expressed at all embryonic stages examined.