A novel spermatogenesis-specific uPAR gene expressed in human and mouse testis.
The urokinase receptor, uPAR, which binds to the urinary-type plasminogen activator, controls matrix degradation in the processes of tissue remodeling, cell migration, and invasion. In the present study, we found a new urokinase receptor gene that encodes a 249-amino acid putative protein. Northern blot analysis showed specific expression in the testis of this gene, which we named the spermatogenesis-related gene (SGRG). In situ hybridization revealed a strong expression signal for SGRG in spermatogonia, but not in spermatocytes. Therefore, we conjecture that SGRG may regulate spermatocyte migration through breakdown of extracellular matrix protein barriers in spermatogenesis. Since SGRG is specifically expressed in spermatogonia, it provides an attractive candidate for development of a contraceptive vaccine.
Teng
Xiaokun
X
School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
Yang
Jun
J
Xie
Yong
Y
Ni
Zumei
Z
Hu
Ruiying
R
Shi
Lvjie
L
Lin
Zhixin
Z
Hu
Landian
L
Zhao
Guoping
G
Ding
Xiaoyan
X
Kong
Xiangying
X
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013045:Species Specificity; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*
C524898:PLAUR protein, human; C524899:Plaur protein, mouse; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator