Afaf, a novel vesicle membrane protein, is related to acrosome formation in murine testis.
As a cell-specific organelle, acrosome (Acr) and its formation are an important event for spermiogenesis. However, the Acr formation is far more complicated than has been proposed. In this study, we have cloned a novel membrane protein Afaf (Acr formation associated factor) that was expressed abundantly in the round spermatids, localized in the inner and outer membrane of forming Acrs, and declined in the maturing Acrs. In the transfected Hela cells, Afaf protein was localized in the plasma membrane, EEA1-positive early endosomes (EEs) and occasionally in the nuclei. Therefore, we propose that EEs and plasma membrane may be also directly involved in the Acr biogenesis.
Li
Yin-Chuan
YC
State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, PR China.
Hu
Xiao-Qian
XQ
Zhang
Ke-Ying
KY
Guo
Jian
J
Hu
Zhao-Yuan
ZY
Tao
Shi-Xin
SX
Xiao
Li-Juan
LJ
Wang
Qing-Zhong
QZ
Han
Chun-Sheng
CS
Liu
Yi-Xun
YX
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000177:Acrosome / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011992:Endosomes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013087:Spermatids / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins
D001324:Autoantigens; C512719:EQTN protein, human; C512717:Eqtn protein, mouse; C512718:Eqtn protein, rat; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins; C093846:early endosome antigen 1