The major androgen-regulated secretory proteins of the rat epididymis bear sequence homology with members of the alpha 2u-globulin superfamily.
The primary amino acid sequence of 18.5 kDa androgen-dependent secretory proteins of the rat epididymis has been compared with protein data-base sequences. The comparison has revealed that the epididymal proteins belong to the alpha 2u-globulin superfamily which includes human, rat and mouse urinary proteins, ungulate beta-lactoglobulins, and serum retinol-binding proteins. The homology suggests that the epididymal proteins may function to transport retinoids within the male reproductive tract. The androgen-dependent characteristics of the proteins and their tissue-specific nature have been ascertained by use of the protein's cDNA as a probe. The mRNA for the proteins was found in the epididymis of the rat and mouse, but not the epididymis of guinea-pig, rabbit, bull, boar, or ram.
D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000235:genetics*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D030501:Epididymal Secretory Proteins; D004822:Epididymis / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007782:Lactoglobulins / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013045:Species Specificity; D013735:Testicular Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology
D000510:Alpha-Globulins; D030501:Epididymal Secretory Proteins; D007782:Lactoglobulins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D013735:Testicular Hormones; C013803:alpha 2u globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D004247:DNA