An SRY-related gene expressed during spermatogenesis in the mouse encodes a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein.
SRY, the testis determining gene, encodes a member of a family of DNA binding proteins characterized by an amino acid sequence motif known as the HMG box. Using degenerate primers and the polymerase chain reaction, we have isolated SRY-related cDNAs from adult murine testis RNA. One of these, Sox-5, encodes a 43 kDa HMG-box protein with similarities to transcription activating proteins. Anti-Sox-5 antibody was used to analyse expression of Sox-5 in pre-pubertal testis and in fractionated spermatogenic cells. Sox-5 is restricted to post-meiotic germ cells, being found at highest levels in round spermatids. Sox-5 is a DNA binding protein and binding site selection assays suggest that it can bind specifically to oligonucleotides containing the consensus motif AACAAT. Sry can also bind to this motif, indicating that the Sry family may have overlapping sequence specificities.
Denny
P
P
Chester Beatty Laboratories, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
Swift
S
S
Connor
F
F
Ashworth
A
A
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015723:Gene Library; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014162:Transfection
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C497745:SRY protein, human; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein; C497746:Sry protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA