title: The archetype STYX/dead-phosphatase complexes with a spermatid mRNA-binding protein and is essential for normal sperm production.
abstract: Differentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa is regulated via phosphorylated RNA-binding proteins that modulate the expression of stage-specific mRNAs. We demonstrate that the phosphoserine, -threonine or -tyrosine, interaction protein, Styx, complexes with a testicular RNA-binding protein and is essential for normal spermiogenesis. Ablation of Styx expression in mouse disrupts round and elongating spermatid development, resulting in a >1,000-fold decrease in spermatozoa production. Moreover, Styx(-/-) males are infertile because of structural head abnormalities in residual epididymal sperm. Immunoprecipitation of Styx with Crhsp-24, a phosphorylated RNA-binding protein implicated in translational repression of histone mRNAs, provides a strategy for regulating posttranscriptional gene expression.
authors.affiliation: Life Sciences Institute and Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wishart
authors.forename: Jack E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Dixon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008957:Models, Genetic; D034521:Nuclear Matrix-Associated Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010957:Plasmids / Q000378:metabolism; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors
chemical_list: C114342:CARHSP1 protein, human; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D034521:Nuclear Matrix-Associated Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; C450144:Styx protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors; D012313:RNA