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.
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.
Moore
Frederick L
FL
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0546, USA.
Jaruzelska
Jadwiga
J
Dorfman
David M
DM
Reijo-Pera
Renee A
RA
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
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