Identification of a novel testis-specific gene and its potential roles in testis development/spermatogenesis.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and characterize a novel gene with potential roles in testis development and spermatogenesis.


METHODS
A cDNA microarray was constructed from a human testis large insert cDNA library and hybridized with probes of human or mouse adult and fetal testes. Differentially expressed genes were isolated and sequenced. RT-PCR was used to test the tissue distribution of the genes of interest and in situ hybridization was performed to localize the gene expression in the mouse testis. A range of bioinformatical programs including Gene Runner, SMART, NCBI Blast and Emboss CpGPlot were used to characterize the new gene's feature.


RESULTS
A novel testis-specific gene, NYD-SP5, was differentially expressed in fetal and adult testes. The deduced protein structure of NYD-SP5 was found to contain an IQ motif (a short calmodulin-binding motif containing conserved Ile and Gln residues), a Carbamate kinase-like domain, a Zn-dependent exopeptidase domain and a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) C-terminal-like domain. RT-PCR analysis revealed that NYD-SP5 was predominantly expressed in the testis but not in other 15 tissues examined. In situ hybridization and RT-PCR examinations revealed that the expression of NYD-SP5 was confined in the male germ cell but not present in the somatic cell in the testes.


CONCLUSIONS
NYD-SP5 is a newly found testis-specific gene with potential roles in testis development and spermatogenesis through a calmodulin-activated enzyme.
Yin
Lan-Lan
LL
Key Laborary of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Hanzhong Road, Nanjing 210029, China.
Li
Jian-Min
JM
Zhou
Zuo-Min
ZM
Sha
Jia-Hao
JH
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
D018076:DNA, Complementary; C505904:NYP-SP5 protein, mouse; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger