Unique alternative translation from two open reading frames on Acpin1 mRNA yields an acrosomal protein and a salivary-gland-specific protein.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the expression profiles of the proteins translated from Acpin1 mRNA in germ cells.


METHODS
Northern and western blotting of various tissues and immunohistochemical analysis of germ cells were carried out in a mouse model.


RESULTS
ACPIN1 protein was transcribed from the longer, 3' open reading frame (ORF) of Acpin1. An alternative-splicing variant, Acpin1vs, contained only the smaller, 5' ORF of the full-length Acpin1 gene. Its gene product, SAGSIN1, was expressed specifically in salivary glands. Retrotransposed regions of Acpin1 homology were also detected in various chromosomes, and intronless paralogous genes on the X chromosome were expressed in the testis and other tissues. The genomic structure of Acpin1 is highly conserved in mammals.


CONCLUSIONS
The two ORFs on the Acpin1 mRNA are independently translated in differentiated cells. Analysis of gene Acpin1 might clarify the molecular mechanism of spermatogenesis.
Ueda
Tomohiro
T
Tanaka Project, Center for Advanced Science and Innovation, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
Manabe
Hiroyuki
H
Tokuhiro
Keizo
K
Hirose
Mika
M
Matsuoka
Yasuhiro
Y
Miyagawa
Yasushi
Y
Tsujimura
Akira
A
Fujita
Kyoko
K
Wada
Morimasa
M
Okuyama
Akihiko
A
Nishimune
Yoshitake
Y
Tanaka
Hiromitsu
H
D000177:Acrosome / Q000502:physiology*; D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D017398:Alternative Splicing / Q000235:genetics; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D016366:Open Reading Frames / Q000235:genetics; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000502:physiology*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D018076:DNA, Complementary; C545285:Fam220a protein, mouse; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger