title: Identification of a novel gene, DZIP (DAZ-interacting protein), that encodes a protein that interacts with DAZ (deleted in azoospermia) and is expressed in embryonic stem cells and germ cells.
abstract: Evidence from diverse organisms, including humans, suggests that the DAZ (Deleted in Azoospermia) gene and a closely related homolog, DAZL (DAZ-like), are required early in germ cell development to maintain initial germ cell populations. Here we report the identification and characterization of the DZIP (DAZ-Interacting Protein) gene, which encodes at least three different protein isoforms that contain a C2H2 zinc-finger domain. The DZIP gene is expressed predominantly in human embryonic stem cells and fetal and adult germ cells; moreover, two DZIP protein isoforms colocalize with DAZ and/or DAZL proteins in these tissues. Finally, we provide evidence indicating that DZIP may associate with DAZ and its other cofactors in an RNA-binding protein complex that functions in both ES cells and germ cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0546, USA.
authors.forename: Frederick L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Jadwiga
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jaruzelska
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Dorfman
authors.forename: Renee A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Reijo-Pera
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000075364:Deleted in Azoospermia 1 Protein; D005333:Fetus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011485:Protein Binding; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques; D016335:Zinc Fingers
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C095668:DAZ1 protein, human; C492524:DZIP1 protein, human; D000075364:Deleted in Azoospermia 1 Protein; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins