biostudies-literatureDebrand EWellcome Trust1610-28https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC2702505biostudies-literatureUnknown276(6)Talins are large adaptor proteins that link the integrin family of adhesion molecules to F-actin. In vertebrates, there are two talin genes. Talin 1 is essential for integrin-mediated cell adhesion; the role of talin 2 is unclear. Here we report a detailed analysis of mammalian talin 2. This reveals the existence of a previously unrecognized promoter associated with a CpG island, and separated from the first coding exon by numerous alternatively spliced noncoding exons spanning > 200 kb. Analysis of a mouse gene trap line shows that this promoter accounts for most of the talin 2 expression in adult tissues. We also demonstrate that testis and kidney express truncated talin 2 isoforms that lack the N-terminal half of the protein, and provide evidence for the developmentally regulated expression of the short testis-specific talin 2 isoform in elongating spermatids. Finally, we identify four tissue-specific alternative splicing events within the coding region of talin 2.The FEBS journalTalin 2 is a large and complex gene encoding multiple transcripts and protein isoforms.PMC2702505077532/Z/05/ZPraekelt UDebrand EBate NSpence LMonkley SJCritchley DRPritchard CAEl Jai YfalseTalin 2 is a large and complex gene encoding multiple transcripts and protein isoforms.Talins are large adaptor proteins that link the integrin family of adhesion molecules to F-actin. In vertebrates, there are two talin genes. Talin 1 is essential for integrin-mediated cell adhesion; the role of talin 2 is unclear. Here we report a detailed analysis of mammalian talin 2. This reveals the existence of a previously unrecognized promoter associated with a CpG island, and separated from the first coding exon by numerous alternatively spliced noncoding exons spanning > 200 kb. Analysis of a mouse gene trap line shows that this promoter accounts for most of the talin 2 expression in adult tissues. We also demonstrate that testis and kidney express truncated talin 2 isoforms that lack the N-terminal half of the protein, and provide evidence for the developmentally regulated expression of the short testis-specific talin 2 isoform in elongating spermatids. Finally, we identify four tissue-specific alternative splicing events within the coding region of talin 2.2009-01-01T00:00:00Z2009 Mar2024-11-19T23:47:50.623Z2019-03-27T00:23:14ZS-EPMC27025051922045710.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.06893.x