骨形成蛋白7基因诱导人肝癌细胞的凋亡

目的 构建表达重组人骨形成蛋白7 （bone morphogenic protein 7, BMP7）基因的重组逆转录病毒,观察其对人肝癌细胞HepG2的凋亡诱导活性,并探讨其作用机制。方法 克隆BMP7基因,以loxP同源重组法构成逆转录病毒载体pLP-LNCX-BMP7（pLLBMP7）,转染包装细胞PT67进行病毒包装并测定病毒滴度;将逆转录病毒感染人成骨细胞,MTT法检测细胞生长变化,琼脂糖凝胶电泳和流式细胞仪检测肿瘤细胞的凋亡;Western blotting检测BMP7,caspase-3和bcl-2蛋白表达。结果 重组逆转录病毒载体pLLBMP7经鉴定连接正确,转染PT67细胞后上清液中可得到病毒,滴度达1×109pfu;MTT检测见pLLBMP7病毒组48和72h细胞抑制率高于对照组（35.1% vs. 5.3%,68.5% vs.18.3%,均p<0.05）,48h可见BMP7蛋白高表达。琼脂糖凝胶电泳出现典型梯形条带;流式细胞仪检测出现凋亡峰,于转染48h后达最高峰,其凋亡百分率高达14.42%;BMP7蛋白高表达时caspase-3蛋白的表达亦有显著升高,但bcl-2蛋白未见表达差异。结论 构建了BMP7逆转录病毒,在体外能够有效地诱导人肝癌细胞HepG2的凋亡,其可能是通过激活caspase-3而发生作用。     

帕金森大鼠黑质和纹状体BMP4及其mRNA表达的时程变化

目的：探讨帕金森（PD）大鼠模型体内脑黑质和纹状体内骨形成蛋白4（BMP4）及其mRNA表达的变化规律。方法：用六羟基多巴胺（6-OHDA）建立PD模型后,第2、4、6、8和10周时处死大鼠,取左侧黑质、纹状体,用免疫组化、酶联免疫、荧光定量PCR技术从蛋白水平和基因水平检测BMP4及其mRNA表达。结果：BMP4及其mRNA表达基本一致,其BMP4及mRNA表达均呈双峰,其蛋白表达在纹状体内第2周和6周时达高峰、在黑质内第2周和8周时达高峰,其mRNA表达在纹状体内第2周和8周时达高峰、在黑质内第4周和8周达高峰,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：PD大鼠模型体内,BMP4及其mRNA不呈现稳定的低表达,而是有波动性,明确BMP4及其mRNA处于稳定低表达的时间后,为下一步的治疗实验时间点的选择上奠定了基础。     

GST pull-down联合质谱筛选（肌）营养不良短小蛋白结合蛋白1在小鼠睾丸组织中的相互作用蛋白质

（肌）营养不良短小蛋白结合蛋白1（dystrobrevin binding protein 1,dysbindin-1）是溶酶体相关细胞器生物发生复合体-1(biogenesis of lysosome related organelles complex 1, BLOC-1)的1个亚基,在多种组织细胞中广泛表达;然而,其在睾丸组织中的作用至今尚不明确。为寻找（肌）营养不良短小蛋白结合蛋白1在睾丸组织中的相互作用蛋白质,以进一步研究（肌）营养不良短小蛋白结合蛋白1在睾丸中的作用,本研究首先在Rosetta(DE3)菌种中表达可溶性GST-dysbindin-1融合蛋白,经谷胱甘肽 琼脂糖珠亲和纯化后,与小鼠的睾丸组织蛋白质孵育进行GST pull-down实验,并通过液相色谱串联质谱（LC MS/MS）分析筛选（肌）营养不良短小蛋白结合蛋白1在睾丸组织中的相互作用蛋白质。利用BioGPS数据库聚类在睾丸组织中高表达和特异性表达的互作蛋白质,运用DAVID6.8在线分析工具从细胞组分、分子功能、生物学过程和KEGG通路等方面对筛选出的互作蛋白质进行GO（gene ontology）富集分析。本实验共筛选出108个（肌）营养不良短小蛋白结合蛋白1在睾丸组织中的潜在互作蛋白质,其中98个为尚未报道的（肌）营养不良短小蛋白结合蛋白1相互作用蛋白质,7个为睾丸高表达蛋白质,5个为睾丸特异性表达的蛋白质。这些候选蛋白质主要分布在细胞质、细胞核、细胞膜、细胞外泌体等细胞组分中,通过与蛋白质、核酸等分子结合参与蛋白质翻译和转运、囊泡运输及凋亡等生物学过程以及氨基酸生物合成、溶酶体及蛋白酶体等生物学通路。我们推测,在睾丸组织中（肌）营养不良短小蛋白结合蛋白1可能通过与多种蛋白质相互作用参与精子的发生和受精等过程。     

小鼠睾丸特异性基因Vad1.2重组蛋白的构建及多克隆抗体制备

目的：构建小鼠睾丸特异性基因Vad1.2重组蛋白,制备多克隆抗体。方法：将小鼠睾丸组织Vad1.2转录本行RT-PCR扩增,通过DNA重组技术插入克隆载体p ET15b,进行酶切及DNA序列分析。将表达载体转化入大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）RIL感受态细胞,10 mmol/L IPTG诱导表达重组蛋白,通过10%SDS-PAGE、Western blotting及质谱分析进行鉴定。随后对重组Vad1.2蛋白进行纯化和进一步鉴定。最后,制备兔抗小鼠Vad1.2多克隆抗体,并通过Vad1.2-EGFP质粒转染GC-2spd（ts）细胞对其特异性进行验证。结果：大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）RIL细胞中诱导表达并纯化的小鼠Vad1.2重组蛋白构建正确并经Western blotting和质谱分析得到证实。所制备的多克隆抗体可特异性识别GC-2spd（ts）细胞中过表达的Vad1.2-EGFP融合蛋白。结论：成功构建小鼠Vad1.2重组蛋白,并制备多克隆抗体,为Vad1.2基因的进一步研究奠定了实验基础。     

骨形成蛋白4条件性RNA干扰小鼠的建立

为研究骨形成蛋白4(Bone morphogenetic protein 4, BMP4)在骨骼发育中的作用, 我们以含有LoxPneo的pBSK/U6载体为骨架, 构建小鼠BMP4条件性RNAi(conditional RNA interference), CRNA; 载体(BMP4CRNAi), 经KpnⅠ和AflⅢ双酶切获取针对bmp4并含neo基因的目的干扰片段, 纯化后的目的片段显微注射入0.5 d的FVB/NJ小鼠受精卵, 并植入同期发情的假孕母鼠中, 获取G0代转基因小鼠; 利用PCR对G0代转基因小鼠基因型进行鉴定, PCR阳性的小鼠与FVB/NJ小鼠交配, 最终获取稳定传代的BMP4CRNAi小鼠。稳定传代的BMP4^CRNAi小鼠与成骨和软骨前体细胞表达Cre的转基因小鼠(Col2a1-Cre)交配, 获取BMP4^Col2a1-CRNAi小鼠。分离BMP4Col2a1-CRNAi小鼠原代软骨细胞, 提取总RNA, 利用半定量RT-PCR检测RNA干扰效率。小鼠基因型鉴定结果表明：成功获得条件性RNAi转基因小鼠; BMP4干扰效率检测结果表明：在软骨细胞中BMP4的干扰效率为81％。以上结果表明, 我们成功制备了BMP4^CRNAi小鼠和BMP4^Col2a1-CRNAi小鼠, BMP4^CRNAi小鼠与不同Cre转基因小鼠交配, 可以研究BMP4在不同细胞、组织和器官的功能, BMP4^Col2a1-CRNAi小鼠的获得为研究BMP4在软骨发育中的作用提供了合适的动物模型。     

骨形成蛋白10成熟肽在大肠杆菌中的表达纯化及活性分析

目的:以生物制备骨形成蛋白10(BMP10)为目标,研究BMP10成熟肽在大肠杆菌中的表达及活性。方法:以人源BMP10成熟肽基因为模板,PCR获得N端带有组氨酸标签(6×His)的融合基因6×His-m BMP10,构建p ET28a/m BMP10表达载体;热击转染大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)菌株,卡那霉素抗性筛选获得重组表达菌株BL21/p ET28a-6×His-m BMP10,IPTG诱导表达后利用SDS-PAGE电泳、Western印迹对蛋白进行分析;超声波破碎菌体,收集包涵体,镍柱亲和层析纯化获得电泳纯目的蛋白;透析复性后,非还原SDS-PAGE检验目标蛋白的二聚体形成;通过体外细胞实验检测蛋白活性。结果:纯化得到纯度90%以上的m BMP10,复性后二聚体得率约为40%;活性实验测得P19细胞的Smad6蛋白表达上调3倍左右。结论:通过大肠杆菌表达体系获得具有生物活性的BMP10,为后续作用机理研究奠定了实验基础。     

小鼠和鸡的类E1酶新基因UBAL的克隆和表达分析

根据含有UBA_NADbindingdomain的EST序列,利用同源性序列查找和EST拼接的方法,克隆得到鼠、鸡的新基因UBAL(ubiquitin-activatingenzymelikeprotein),它们都具有泛素活化酶Uba1的保守结构域Ⅰ,可能的ATP结合序列GVGGVG和Cys活性位点.用半定量RT-PCR分析11种成年小鼠组织的mUBAL表达量,显示mUBAL在成年小鼠多种组织中都有表达,在肾、睾丸、脑、心脏中尤为丰富.用mUBAL的编码区为探针进行的小鼠胚胎整体原位杂交显示,mUBAL在胚胎发育早期即开始表达,并随着前内脏内胚层(AVE)的向前迁移而迁移,随后在胚胎的端脑区特异性表达.与小鼠胚胎的表达谱相类似,gUBAL在HH14、HH16和HH18期鸡胚中的表达主要集中在头部.根据mUBAL和gUBAL的序列相似性保守结构域和活性位点,可以初步断定它们可能是类泛素活化酶E1的新成员,可能通过活化类泛素蛋白参与胚胎脑部的发育和调控成体组织的功能.     

基因"慢"的克隆及其在小鼠组织中的表达

Formin蛋白家族由结构相关的蛋白组成,它们都有两个formin同源功能区（formin homology domains）,FH1和FH2。这些基因上的多种变异均导致动物四肢畸形,提示这些基因在肢体发育中起重要作用。我们自小鼠肢体基因库中分离出了一个新基因：“慢”,该基因含有FH1和FH2。我们检测了该基因在小鼠胚胎及成体的表达情况,并对可能的功能意义进行了讨论。     

双基因真核表达载体pIRES-BMP2-TGFβ3的构建与鉴定

目的：构建与鉴定骨形态发生蛋白BMP2和转化生长因子TGFβ3双基因真核表达载体pIRES-BMP2-TGFβ3。方法：首先,用PCR方法从质粒pGEMT/BMP2中扩增出BMP2基因全长,并将其连入双基因真核表达载体pIRES,得到质粒pIRES-BMP2,其次,从人胚胎组织提取总RNA,反转录成cDNA,以反转录的cDNA为模板,PCR扩增出TGFβ3基因全长,将TGFβ3基因连入质粒pIRES-BMP2;用酶切的方法筛选出阳性重组质粒,并进行测序鉴定。结果：酶切鉴定证明已将BMP2和TGFβ3两个基因连入载体中,测序结果完全正确。结论：成功构建PIRES-BMP2/TGFβ3双基因真核表达载体。     

小鼠植入前胚胎及几种组织中IFRG15的差异表达研究

为进一步研究干扰素α应答基因IFRG15（Interferon responsive gene 15）在小鼠整个发育过程中的表达规律,从植入前胚胎及2、5、16周龄的雌、雄昆明小白鼠心、肝、脾、肺、肾、肌肉、卵巢或睾丸等组织中提取总RNA,以HPRT1（Hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase 1）为内参基因,利用RT-PCR的方法进行目的片段的扩增及差异性分析。结果表明,IFRG15在植入前胚胎8-细胞期,桑葚胚期开始显著高表达于受精卵、2-细胞期、4-细胞期（p〈0.05）,在囊胚期表达量达到最高,且显著高于其他各期（p〈0.05）;在雌雄小鼠几个组织体外发育过程中均检测到表达,但表达量有所不同,在雄性小鼠各组织中的表达无显著规律性差异;在5周龄雌性小鼠组织中达到最高（p〈0.05）,卵巢组织尤为明显,推测该基因对卵巢的成熟有重要的促进作用;本实验成功获得IFRG15在小鼠植入前各期胚胎及体外发育过程中的表达模式,为进一步探究该基因在小鼠克隆胚发育过程中的作用奠定基础。     

印记基因Dlk1在小鼠胚胎发育中的表达分析

目的:研究印记基因Dlk1在小鼠胚胎发育过程中的动态表达模式,以揭示Dlk1与胚胎发育的关系。方法:通过半定量PCR和定量PCR分析Dlk1在小鼠胚胎发育E8.5～E19.5的基因表达模式,并选取Dlk1表达量最高的时期进行胚胎切片原位杂交和组织定量PCR分析。结果:在小鼠胚胎发育E8.5～E15.5时,Dlk1的表达逐渐升高,在E15.5时表达量达到最高;E15.5～E19.5时,Dlk1表达有所下降,但仍然维持较高水平。E15.5切片原位杂交显示,垂体、肺脏、软骨、舌和背侧肌肉组织中Dlk1表达较高,组织定量PCR实验进一步证实了原文杂交的结果。结论:Dlk1在小鼠胚胎发育中后期持续表达,并呈现一定的组织特异性,对胚胎发育可能起重要的调节作用。     

Cloning,Characterization and Primary Function Study of a Novel Gene,Cymg1,Related to Family 2 Cystatins

Cystatins are cysteine proteinase inhibitors,We found two expression sequence tags (ESTs),CA463109 and AV042522,from a mouse testis library using Digital differential display (DDD).By electricalhybridization,a novel gene,Cymgl(GenBank accession No.AY600990),which has a full length of 0.78 kb,and contains four exons and three introns,was cloned from a mouse testis eDNA library.The gene is locatedin the 2G3 area of chromosome 2.The full eDNA encompasses the entire open reading frame,encoding 141amino acid residues.The protein has a cysteine protease inhibitor domain that is related to the family 2cystatins but lacks critical consensus sites important for cysteine protease inhibition.These characteristicsare seen in the CRES subfamily,which are related to the family 2 cystatins and are expressed specifically inthe male reproductive tract.CYMG1 has a 44%(48/108)identity with mouse CRES and 30%(42/140)identity with mouse cystatin C.Northern blot analysis showed that the Cymgl is specifically expressed inadult mouse testes.Cell location studies showed that the GFP-tagged CYMG 1 protein was localized in thecytoplasm of HeLa cells,lmmunohistochemistry revealed that the CYMG1 protein was expressed in mousetestes spermatogonium,spermatocytes,round spermatids,elongating spermatids and spermatozoa.RT-PCRresults also showed that Cymgl was expressed in mouse testes and spermatogonium.The Cymgl expressionlevel varied in different developmental stages:it was low 1 week postpartum,steadily increased 2 to 5 weekspostpartum,and was highest 7 weeks postpartum.The expression level at 5 weeks postpartum was main-tained during 13 to 57 weeks postpartum.The Cymgl expression level in the testes over different develop-mental stages correlates with the mouse spermatogenesis and sexual maturation process.All these indicatethat Cymgl might play an important role in mouse spermatogenesis and sexual maturation. Cystatins are cysteine proteinase inhibitors,We found two expression sequence tags(ESTs),CA463109 and AV042522,from a mouse testis library using Digital differential display (DDD).By electricalhybridization,a novel gene,Cymgl(GenBank accession No.AY600990),which has a full length of 0.78 kb,and contains four exons and three introns,was cloned from a mouse testis eDNA library.The gene is locatedin the 2G3 area of chromosome 2.The full eDNA encompasses the entire open reading frame,encoding 141amino acid residues.The protein has a cysteine protease inhibitor domain that is related to the family 2cystatins but lacks critical consensus sites important for cysteine protease inhibition.These characteristicsare seen in the CRES subfamily,which are related to the family 2 cystatins and are expressed specifically inthe male reproductive tract.CYMG1 has a 44%(48/108)identity with mouse CRES and 30%(42/140)identity with mouse cystatin C.Northern blot analysis showed that the Cymgl is specifically expressed inadult mouse testes.Cell location studies showed that the GFP-tagged CYMG 1 protein was localized in thecytoplasm of HeLa cells,lmmunohistochemistry revealed that the CYMG1 protein was expressed in mousetestes spermatogonium,spermatocytes,round spermatids,elongating spermatids and spermatozoa.RT-PCRresults also showed that Cymgl was expressed in mouse testes and spermatogonium.The Cymgl expressionlevel varied in different developmental stages:it was low 1 week postpartum,steadily increased 2 to 5 weekspostpartum,and was highest 7 weeks postpartum.The expression level at 5 weeks postpartum was main-tained during 13 to 57 weeks postpartum.The Cymgl expression level in the testes over different develop-mental stages correlates with the mouse spermatogenesis and sexual maturation process.All these indicatethat Cymgl might play an important role in mouse spermatogenesis and sexual maturation.     

Twisted gastrulation modulates bone morphogenetic protein-induced collagen II and X expression in chondrocytes in vitro and in vivo

Twisted gastrulation (TSG) is an extracellular modulator of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) activity and regulates dorsoventral axis formation in early Drosophila and Xenopus development. Studies on tsg-deficient mice also indicated a role of this protein in skeletal growth, but the mechanism of TSG activity in this process has not yet been investigated. Here we show for the first time by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry that TSG is strongly expressed in bovine and mouse growth plate cartilage as well as in fetal ribs, vertebral cartilage, and cartilage anlagen of the skull. Furthermore we provide evidence that TSG is directly involved in BMP-regulated chondrocyte differentiation and maturation. In vitro, TSG impaired the dose-dependent BMP-2 stimulation of collagen II and X expression in cultures of MC615 chondrocytes and primary mouse chondrocytes. In the presence of chordin, a BMP antagonist, the inhibitory effect of TSG was further enhanced. TSG also inhibited BMP-2-stimulated phosphorylation of Smad factors in chondrocytes, confirming the role of TSG as a modulator of BMP signaling. For analysis of TSG functions in cartilage development in vivo, the gene was overexpressed in transgenic mice under the control of the cartilage-specific Col2a1 promoter. As a result, Col10a1 expression was significantly reduced in the growth plates of transgenic embryos and newborns in comparison with wild type littermates as shown by in situ hybridization and by real time PCR analysis. The data suggest that TSG is an important modulator of BMP-regulated cartilage development and chondrocyte differentiation.     

转化生长因β1基因真核表达质粒的构建及其在小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞中的表达

目的：构建转化生长因β1（TGF-β1）表达载体,在骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSC）中表达。方法：以小鼠肺组织cDNA为模板,PCR扩增TGF-β1基因,并将其插入pCDH1-MCS1-EF1-copGFP载体质粒,转化感受态大肠杆菌DH5α,抽提质粒,经PCR和测序鉴定后转染BMSC,利用激光共聚焦显微镜和Western印迹对其表达进行检测。结果：经PCR及测序鉴定,构建入载体质粒的基因为TGF-β1基因,pCDH1-TGFβ1-EF1-copGFP重组质粒能在BMSC中表达。结论：构建了pCDH1-TGFβ1-EF1-copGFP重组质粒,且能表达于BMSC,为进一步研究TGF-β1影响间充质干细胞的生理功能奠定了基础。     

神经元限制性沉默因子与胰岛素在成年小鼠胰腺中的表达

目的:观察神经元限制性沉默因子(NRSF)在正常成年小鼠胰腺组织中的表达情况。方法:以6～8周BALB/c小鼠胰腺为实验材料,制备冰冻切片,与地高辛标记的NRSF cDNA探针进行原位杂交,观察mRNA表达,并结合免疫组织化学方法检测NRSF和胰岛素的表达。结果:原位杂交显示,NRSF mRNA仅表达于胰腺组织外分泌部腺泡腺细胞中,胞浆呈蓝紫色,与免疫荧光组织化学检测NRSF蛋白表达的部位一致,而胰岛细胞中无NRSF mRNA及蛋白的表达。免疫酶组织化学染色显示,胰岛大部分细胞中表达胰岛素,胞浆染成黄棕色,而腺泡腺细胞则不表达胰岛素。结论:NRSF与胰岛素不存在共定位关系,即成年小鼠胰岛细胞不表达NRSF,而表达胰岛素。提示NRSF蛋白表达的消失可能是建立完全分化成熟、具有完好分泌反应的胰岛细胞所必需的。     

大鼠高亲和力二羧酸转运蛋白的克隆表达及细胞内定位

目的：克隆大鼠高亲和力钠依赖二羧酸转运蛋白（SDCT2）的全长cDNA,并明确其在肾小管上皮细胞内的定位表达情况。方法：从大鼠肾组织中提取总RNA,用带有8肽FLAG标签的PCR引物通过RT-PCR技术扩增出SDCT2全长基因并测序,将其插入真核表达载体中构建SDCT2真核表达载体,然后将它们转染到肾小管上皮细胞LLC-PKl中表达,并用激光共聚焦显微镜观察该蛋白的亚细胞定位情况。结果：扩增出2kb的SDCT2全长基因,Westernblot表明肋CT2基因在LLC-PKl细胞中得到了正确的表达;共聚焦显微镜分析显示正常SDCT2蛋白主要定位于细胞膜上,与生物信息学的预测结果一致;为了比较不同连接温度对重组DNA连接效率的影响,观察了3种连接温度下的转化效率,结果显示温度循环法的连接效率明显比其他2种常规连接温度要高。结论：高亲和力钠依赖二羧酸转运蛋白全长基因被成功克隆,其主要表达于肾小管上皮细胞膜上。     

Expression of the endothelial lipase gene in murine embryos and reproductive organs

Endothelial lipase (EL) is a recently discovered member of the triglyceride-lipase family that is involved in plasma HDL metabolism. In this study, we investigated the putative role of EL in mouse reproduction by studying EL gene expression in mouse embryos and adult reproductive organs. PCR analysis revealed that EL mRNA is expressed in mouse embryos on embryonic day 8.5 (E8.5) to E11.5, but not later in development. In situ hybridization studies on E10.5 whole embryos and embryonic sections showed expression of EL mRNA in multiple tissues, although of varying intensity. High expression was found in the neuroepithelium of the brain and the neural tube, the mesenchymal cells between organs, the optic lens and cup, and the otocyst. In adult mice, EL mRNA expression was high in ovaries from pregnant mice but low in ovaries from nonpregnant mice. EL mRNA was also highly expressed in placenta and testes. In situ hybridization studies demonstrated intense EL mRNA staining of lutein cells in corpora lutei in ovaries, of spermatocytes in the late pachytene and diplotene stages in testes, and of principal cells in epididymis. These results suggest that EL, in addition to its effects on plasma lipoprotein metabolism, plays a role in murine reproduction.     

LRRN3膜蛋白在人胚脊神经节的分布和表达

目的：探讨神经系统富亮氨酸重复超家族成员LRRN3膜蛋白在人胚脊神经节的表达和分布。方法：从人胚脊神经节分离mRNA和蛋白质,用RT-PCR、Western印记杂交法和免疫组织化学方法检测LRRN3膜蛋白表达。结果：LRRN3膜蛋白C端序列RT—PCR扩增产物cDNA在各胎龄脊神经节均有表达,长度约500bp;Western印记杂交结果显示LRRN3膜蛋白存在,分子质量约78kD;免疫组织化学和免疫荧光组织化学结果表明LRRN3阳性表达细胞均为脊神经节感觉神经细胞,部分神经细胞弱阳性表达,部分未表达。结论：LRRN3膜蛋白在脊神经节神经元的表达,推断与脊神经节感觉神经元的发育、形态构建及损伤后修复有密切的关系。     

Molecular cloning,structure, and testis-specific expression of MFSJ1, a member of the DNAJ protein family,in the Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata)

A strong signal of cDNA product was identified in adult and senile testes of the Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) using differential display PCR analysis. Its full-length cDNA was molecular-cloned by RT-PCR using adult testis mRNA as templates. The predicted open reading frame encoded a protein of 242 amino-acid residues. It contained J domain in the NH(2) terminal region and Gly/Phe-rich domain in the middle of protein, which are typical structural domains of the DnaJ protein family. We named this gene, MFSJ1, for spermatogenic cell-specific DNAJ homolog in the Japanese monkey. Northern blot analysis of RNAs from various somatic and germinal tissues revealed that the MFSJ1 gene is specifically expressed in testis and is active at adult and senile stages but is scarcely expressed at the juvenile stage. In situ hybridization revealed that the MFSJ1 gene is expressed mainly in spermatids and the expressional potential is maintained from adult to senile stages. MFSJ1 was found to have high similarity (71% identity) with MSJ1, mouse spermatogenic cell-specific DnaJ homolog. Although this type of DnaJ-like protein has not been found in other mammals, it may be essential for mammalian spermatogenesis.