Expression and localization of CKLFSF2 in human spermatogenesis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression and subcellular localization of chemokine-like factor superfamily 2 (CKLFSF2) in human testis and its potential role in spermatogenesis.


METHODS
A specific polyclonal antibody against CKLFSF2 was raised. The expression and cellular localization of CKLFSF2 in the seminiferous tubules was checked by immunohistochemistry method. Also, in situ hybridization was applied to localize the mRNA distribution. The EGFP-CKLFSF2 fusion protein was expressed in COS-7 cells to localize its subcellular location in vitro. In addition, the abnormal expression of CKLFSF2 in testes of patients with male infertility was assayed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry methods.


RESULTS
Having a close correlation with spermatogenesis defects, CKLFSF2 was specifically expressed in meiotic and post-meiotic germ cells, which were localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) near the Golgi apparatus.


CONCLUSIONS
CKLFSF2 could play important roles in the process of meiosis and spermiogenesis, and might be involved in the vesicular transport or membrane apposition events in the endoplasmic reticulum.
Liu
Gang
G
Andrology Center, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100009, China.
Xin
Zhong-Cheng
ZC
Chen
Liang
L
Tian
Long
L
Yuan
Yi-Ming
YM
Song
Wei-Dong
WD
Jiang
Xue-Jun
XJ
Guo
Ying-Lu
YL
D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D019556:COS Cells; D018925:Chemokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism; D062792:MARVEL Domain-Containing Proteins; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism
C505071:CMTM2 protein, human; D018925:Chemokines; D062792:MARVEL Domain-Containing Proteins