Expression profile of a novel germ cell-specific gene, TSCPA, in mice and human

J Huazhong Univ Sci Technolog Med Sci. 2009 Oct;29(5):535-9. doi: 10.1007/s11596-009-0502-9. Epub 2009 Oct 11.

Abstract

In order to identify novel genes involved in spermatogenesis, testis cDNA samples from Balb/C mice of different postnatal days were hybridized with the whole mouse genome Affymetrix chip to screen the testis-specific genes. The characteristics of the selected genes were analyzed by RT-PCR as well as other bioinformatic tools. A novel differentially expressed testis-specific gene (GenBank Accession No: NM_029042) in the developmental stages of testes was identified, and named TSCPA. Cellular mapping prediction of TSCPA indicated that its protein was probably expressed in nuclei, and one putative domain (aa 332-377) was anchoring domain of cAMP-dependent type II PK. The result of subcellular localization of GFP-TSCPA fusion protein in Cos-7 cells showed that TSCPA protein was expressed in nuclei. RT-PCR analysis revealed that TSCPA was expressed specifically in mouse and human testis. TSCPA gene was expressed weakly in 21-day-old mouse testis and the expression was increased gradually from 38th day to 6th month of mouse testes. No expression of hTSCPA was found in cryptorchidism and Sertoli-cell-only syndrome patients. It was concluded that the expression profile of TSCPA in human and mice indicated that TSCPA might play an important role in spermatogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • COS Cells
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Sertoli Cells / metabolism
  • Spermatogenesis / genetics*
  • Spermatogonia / metabolism
  • Spermatogonia / physiology*
  • Testis / growth & development
  • Testis / metabolism*

Substances

  • Proteins