title: DNAJB13, a type II HSP40 family member, localizes to the spermatids and spermatozoa during mouse spermatogenesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hundreds of HSP40s derived from various species have been identified, of which several proteins are involved in spermatogenesis. DNAJB13 is a type II HSP40/DnaJ protein. In a previous study, we cloned mouse Dnajb13, which is up-regulated in cryptorchidism. To date, however, little is known about the localization and functions of DNAJB13 during spermatogenesis. This study intends to identify the expression pattern of DNAJB13 during mammalian spermatogenesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RT-PCR and western blot revealed that the Dnajb13 gene and DNAJB13 protein were expressed not only in the testis but also in several other ciliated cell-containing tissues like the trachea, lung and oviduct. Quantitative PCR showed that the expression of Dnajb13 mRNA in testis was detectable as early as postnatal week 1, and sharply increased from postnatal week 3. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry determined that the DNAJB13 protein, which was located in the cytoplasm of spermatids and the sperm flagellum, was detectable from postnatal week 4.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the spatiotemporal expression observed in the cytoplasm of spermatids and sperm flagella, we suggest that DNAJB13 participates in spermiogenesis and the motility of mature spermatozoa.
authors.forename: Weina
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China. 616778747@qq.com.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D002465:Cell Movement; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D050956:HSP40 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D013087:Spermatids / Q000378:metabolism*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014132:Trachea / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C531170:DNAJB13 protein, mouse; D050956:HSP40 Heat-Shock Proteins; D018832:Molecular Chaperones