Sperm 1: a POU-domain gene transiently expressed immediately before meiosis I in the male germ cell.
Members of the POU-domain gene family encode for transcriptional regulatory molecules that are important for terminal differentiation of several organ systems, including anterior pituitary, sensory neurons, and B lymphocytes. We have identified a POU-domain factor, referred to as sperm 1 (Sprm-1). This factor is most related to the transactivator Oct-3/4, which is expressed in the early embryo, primordial germ cells, and the egg. However, in contrast with Oct-3/4, rat Sprm-1 is selectively expressed during a 36- to 48-hr period immediately preceding meiosis I in male germ cells. Although the POU-domain of Sprm-1 is divergent from the POU-domains of Oct-1 and Oct-2, random-site-selection assay reveals that Sprm-1 preferentially binds to a specific variant of the classic octamer DNA-response element in which the optimal sequence differs from that preferred by Oct-1 and Pit-1. These data suggest that the Sprm-1 gene encodes a DNA-binding protein that may exert a regulatory function in meiotic events that are required for terminal differentiation of the male germ cell.
Andersen
B
B
Eukaryotic Regulatory Biology Program, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla 92093-0648.
Pearse
R V
RV
Schlegel
P N
PN
Cichon
Z
Z
Schonemann
M D
MD
Bardin
C W
CW
Rosenfeld
M G
MG
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D016384:Consensus Sequence; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D050809:POU Domain Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050809:POU Domain Factors; C084522:Pou5f2 protein, rat; D012333:RNA, Messenger