The membrane protein SLITRK1 functions as a developmentally regulated stimulator 
of neurite outgrowth and variants in this gene have been implicated in Tourette 
syndrome. In the current study we have cloned and characterized the porcine 
SLITRK1 gene. The genomic organization of SLITRK1 lacks introns, as does its 
human and mouse counterparts. RT-PCR cloning revealed two SLITRK1 transcripts: a 
full-length mRNA and a transcript variant that results in a truncated protein. 
The encoded SLITRK1 protein, consisting of 695 amino acids, displays a very high 
homology to human SLITRK1 (99%). The porcine SLITRK1 gene is expressed 
exclusively in brain tissues.