Dioxin induces a novel nuclear factor, DIF-3, that is implicated in spermatogenesis

FEBS Lett. 2001 Nov 23;508(3):341-4. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(01)03039-3.

Abstract

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; dioxin), a member of a class of environmental pollutants represented by polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, is one of the most toxic artificial compounds ever developed. In this study, we identified a novel TCDD target gene, DIF-3 (dioxin inducible factor-3), by cDNA representational difference analysis. DIF-3 protein is a nuclear factor and possesses a zinc-finger motif at its N-terminus. High DIF-3 mRNA expression in the testes was demonstrated by Northern blot analysis and abundant DIF-3 protein was detected during spermatogenesis. Thus, these results suggest that DIF-3 may be a target gene mediating the reproductive toxicity induced by TCDD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Expressed Sequence Tags
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Molecular Weight
  • Nuclear Proteins / analysis
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / pharmacology*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Spermatogenesis*
  • Stem Cells
  • Testis / metabolism
  • Zinc Fingers

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
  • RNA, Messenger

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB064543