Nuclear organization of the protamine locus.
The human protamine gene cluster consists of three tightly regulated genes, protamine 1 (PRM1), protamine 2 (PRM2) and transition protein 2 (TNP2). Their products are required to repackage the paternal genome during spermiogenesis into a functional gamete. They reside within a single DNase I-sensitive domain associated with the sperm nuclear matrix, bounded by two haploid-specific Matrix Attachment Regions. The nuclear matrix is a dynamic proteinaceous network that is associated with both transcription and replication. While substantial effort has been directed toward pre- and post-transcriptional regulation, the role of the nuclear matrix in regulating haploid expressed genes has received comparatively little attention. In this regard, the functional organization of the human PRM1 --> PRM2 --> TNP2 cluster and where appropriate, comparisons to other model systems will be considered.
Martins
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RP
Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Institute for Scientific Computing, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 253 C.S. Mott Center, 275 East Hancock Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
Krawetz
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SA
D000818:Animals; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006238:Haploidy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005810:Multigene Family; D009697:Nucleolus Organizer Region / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011479:Protamines / Q000235:genetics*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D011479:Protamines