A novel spermatogenesis related factor-2 (SRF-2) gene expression affected by TCDD treatment.
We have cloned a gene which is specifically expressed at the stage of sexual maturation in the rat testis by means of differential display, and have named it spermatogenesis-related factor-2 (SRF-2). Testicular expression was first detected at 5 weeks of age, and its level of the expression increased up to 7 weeks, and was maintained even at 63 weeks. Its cDNA was 2,789 bp in length and encoded an open reading frame of 718 amino acids. This gene was mainly expressed in the spermatocyte, judging from the result of in situ hybridization. The hypothetical gene product had a motif highly homologous with RabGAP/TBC protein. Taken together, this gene is considered to have some important functions for meiosis. The gene expression was significantly decreased by treatment with TCDD, a candidate endocrine disruptor, when administered to male rats of the nursling period. Body weight and testis weight were decreased by the treatment, but even then the sperm concentration in cauda epididymis was not changed significantly. SRF-2 gene may be a promising biomarker to construct a detection system of uncertain endocrine disruptors.
Yamano
Yoshiaki
Y
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan.
Ohyama
Kenji
K
Ohta
Masanori
M
Sano
Tomoaki
T
Ritani
Akishige
A
Shimada
Junichi
J
Ashida
Nobuhisa
N
Yoshida
Emi
E
Ikehara
Kiyomi
K
Morishima
Isao
I
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000378:metabolism; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D015723:Gene Library; D005820:Genetic Testing; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013076:Sperm Count; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; C406634:spermatogenesis associated factor