Novel development-related alternative splices in human testis identified by cDNA microarrays

J Androl. 2005 Mar-Apr;26(2):189-96. doi: 10.1002/j.1939-4640.2005.tb01085.x.

Abstract

Alternative splicing of premessenger RNA is an important regulatory mechanism that increases the diversity of proteins transcribed from a single gene. This is particularly important in the testis because germ cell expansion and differentiation require many cellular changes and regulatory steps. To investigate novel development-related alternative splicings in the human testis, complementary DNA microarray studies were conducted with the use of probes from human fetal testes, adult testes, and human spermatozoa. Of a total of 386 Unigene clusters found to be related to the development of the testis, 67 clusters showed a total of 74 novel alternative spliceoforms. Developmental stage-dependent expression was also performed for a novel Unigene, NYD-SP20 (Hs.351068), which had 4 possible novel spliceoforms and another Unigene, CRISP2 (cysteine-rich secretory protein 2, Hs.2042), which had 3 possible novel spliceoforms. These results indicate that alternative splicing plays an important role in the complicated processes of testis development and spermatogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging / genetics*
  • Alternative Splicing*
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis*
  • Proteins / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Spermatozoa / physiology*
  • Testis / growth & development
  • Testis / physiology*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger