Identification and characterization of novel and unknown mouse epididymis-specific genes by complementary DNA microarray technology.
To examine epididymal function, we attempted to identify highly expressed genes in mouse epididymis using a cDNA microarray containing PCR products amplified from a mouse epididymal cDNA library. We isolated one novel and four known genes-lymphocyte cytosolic protein 1 (Lcp1), complement subcomponents C1r/C1s, Uegf protein, and bone morphogenetic protein and zona pellucida-like domains 1 (Cuzd1), transmembrane epididymal protein 1 (Teddm1), and whey acidic protein 4-disulfide core domain 16 (Wfdc16)-with unknown functions in the epididymis. The novel gene, designated Serpina1f (serine peptidase inhibitor [SERPIN], clade A, member 1f), harbors an open reading frame of 1 233 bp encoding a putative protein of 411 amino acids, including a SERPIN domain. These five genes were predominantly expressed in the epididymis as compared to other organs. In situ hybridization analysis revealed their epididymal region-specific expression patterns. Real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed a significant increase in mRNA expression of these genes around puberty. Castration decreased their expression, except forLcp1. Testosterone (T) restored these reduced expressions, except forTeddm1; however, this restoration was not observed with 17 beta-estradiol (E2). Administration of T and E2 combination recovered the Serpina1f mRNA concentration; this recovery was also observed with T alone. However, the recovery of Cuzd1and Wfdc16mRNA concentrations was inadequate. Neonatal diethylstilbestrol treatment suppressed the Cuzd1, Wfdc16, and Serpina1f mRNA expression in the epididymis of 8-week-old mice; this was not observed with E2. These results suggest that our microarray system can provide a novel insight into the epididymal function on a molecular basis, and the five genes might play important roles in the epididymis.
Yamazaki
Koji
K
Department of Bioenvironmental Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
Adachi
Tetsuya
T
Sato
Koji
K
Yanagisawa
Yuta
Y
Fukata
Hideki
H
Seki
Naohiko
N
Mori
Chisato
C
Komiyama
Masatoshi
M
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D009919:Orchiectomy; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013256:Steroids / Q000494:pharmacology
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D013256:Steroids; C066559:Lcp1 protein, mouse