Mouse submandibular glands express an androgen-regulated transcript encoding an acidic epididymal glycoprotein-like molecule.
Acidic epididymal glycoprotein (AEG) is an androgen-regulated, epididymal secretory protein assumed to be involved in sperm maturation. In the present study, we show that the mouse submandibular gland (SMG) expresses two genes designated Aeg-1 and Aeg-2. The nucleotide sequence of Aeg-1 cDNA clones was identical to that of epididymis-expressed Aeg cDNA clones, indicating that Aeg-1 is expressed in both epididymides and SMGs. The second, more abundant transcript, Aeg-2, had a sequence similar to, but distinct from, that of Aeg-1, and was not detectable in the epididymis. The level of Aeg-1 and Aeg-2 transcripts in the SMG was androgen-regulated and showed sexual dimorphism. In situ hybridization of SMG sections showed that Aeg-1 and Aeg-2 transcripts are produced by the cells of granular convoluted tubules. The C-terminal cysteine-rich region of the mouse AEG-2 molecule appears to have diverged faster than that of the mouse AEG-1 molecule, consistent with the idea that this region may play a role unique to the protein of the male reproductive system.
Mizuki
N
N
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33101.
Kasahara
M
M
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D030501:Epididymal Secretory Proteins; D004822:Epididymis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005796:Genes; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008667:Metalloproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017385:Sequence Homology; D013079:Sperm Maturation; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D013735:Testicular Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects
D030501:Epididymal Secretory Proteins; D008667:Metalloproteins; D013735:Testicular Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D004247:DNA