MZF6D, a novel KRAB zinc-finger gene expressed exclusively in meiotic male germ cells.
Spermatogenesis takes place in the seminiferous tubule in the testes and culminates in the production of spermatozoa (male gametes). Here we report the identification of a novel mouse zinc-finger gene, MZF6D, which is selectively expressed in meiotic spermatocytes. The MZF6D protein contains an N-terminally located repressor domain, a KRAB domain, followed by at least seven successive Krüppel zinc-finger motifs. The KRAB domain of MZF6D, which consists of a KRAB A box and the newly identified KRAB C box, has previously been shown to interact with TIF1beta, which is the common corepressor of all KRAB zinc-finger proteins. Northern blot analysis shows that the expression of MZF6D is restricted to testes. This was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis of a panel of mouse tissues. In situ hybridization of sections from adult mouse testes localizes the expression to meiotic spermatocytes, suggesting a specific role for MZF6D in the regulation of spermatogenesis.
Looman
Camilla
C
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Mark
Charlotta
C
Abrink
Magnus
M
Hellman
Lars
L
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D051381:Rats; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C422407:ZNF350 protein, human; C478343:Zfp640 protein, mouse