Sulfatase 2contains an N-terminal signal sequence, followed by a sulfatase domain, a hydrophilic region, and a C-terminal substrate recognition domain.SULF2 shares about 64% identity with SULF1 and 94% identity with mouse Sulf2. PCR detected SULF2 expression in most human tissues examined, with highest levels in ovary, skeletal muscle, stomach, brain, uterus, heart, kidney, and placenta. Western blot analysis of transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and culture medium detected SULF2 proteins with apparent molecular masses of 132, 64, and 60 kD in the culture medium. Treatment with furin inhibitors resulted in a single 132-kD species, and treatment with N-glycanase reduced the molecular mass from 132 kD to 100 kD.